WowHaus

First time on the market for this 1960s Sir Andrew Derbyshire midcentury modern house in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.

I don’t know Hatfield too well, but I have featured the area quite a lot, primarily because of the Cockaigne Housing Group properties in that area. But this is a first-time outside of that development.

But the main selling point for me is this being available for the very first time. The house, which dates back to 1965, was designed for noted post-war British architect Sir Andrew Derbyshire and his family, who have lived in it ever since.

Like many houses that have never been offered for sale in the past, the house has been preserved to a high standard and if you like the idea of period midcentury modern features, this house will definitely appeal to you.

Not quite a time capsule, but not far off it. In fact, the modern features jump off the page as they are so few and far between. I’m looking at the odd piece of furniture, the television, the oven in the kitchen and that’s pretty much it.

Beyond that, you are in 1960s heaven with this one. Yes, you might want to update the bathroom and perhaps a few other details, but for me, there is little here I would consider making drastic changes too. Hopefully as a grade II-listed house, it should survive in pretty much the same condition regardless of the buyer (although that isn’t always the case).

Pick of the details for me? Well, that kitchen and its original units for a start, along with all the built-in storage in other parts of the house, the distinctive midcentury staircase, the wood ceilings, the original parquet flooring and the original internal doors. The shape of the windows is rather interesting too.

As for space and layout, a private driveway and garden separate the front of the house from the road, with an entrance via a ‘light lobby’ and hallway.

Beyond that is the original open-tread staircase and the hip living room with midcentury wood-panelled ceiling, parquet floor and extensive glazing.

A timber bi-fold door takes you through from the living room to the dining room, which has original free-standing cabinets dividing the dining space from one of the stars of the show, the original 1960s kitchen.

Beyond the kitchen is a utility room, the coal store and what’s described as ‘an ingenious dustbin system’ designed by the architect himself. Also on the ground floor is Sir Andrew Derbyshire’s drawing room and study, which also has that parquet flooring.

Take a trip up that midcentury staircase and you will find three bedrooms, the playroom and a bathroom to one side of the first floor, each with wardrobes, in-built storage or shelving systems and access to what was once the flat roof terrace. At the other side is the master bedroom overlooking the garden and a second bathroom opposite.

Of course, there is outside space too, made up of a private back garden, secluded by mature trees and a single attached garage, complete with the original inspection hatch in the floor.

This is a leasehold property, but that lease is for 999 years from 1961, so nothing to worry about on that front you would have thought. As for the price, this one is up for £650,000.

Images and details courtesy of The Modern House. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.