Renovation project
1930s art deco renovation project in Poole, Dorset
It needs some work, but this 1930s art deco renovation project in Poole, Dorset could still be a rather special home.
Located in what’s described as a ‘popular residential road’ in the town, this one is being offered for sale by way of ‘informal tender’, with all sealed bids to be received by 12 noon on 27th September 2019. So although thee’s a guide price, it sounds like there will be a bit of interest in this and you might have to go in a little higher to secure it. That’s just a guess.
It might be because of the area, the plot or the architecture. Perhaps a mix of all three. But I suspect the value is the plot/location, with the agent adding that there is scope ‘improvement and extension’, subject to the necessary consents.
I would agree with the first of those things. There is obviously room to improve this one. In terms of extension, that might depend on your love of this style of architecture. There might be a way of increasing size without taking away the character – rather like the art deco house in Shrewsbury, Shropshire I featured a week or so back. But it does need a lot of thought to do that without adversely affecting the look and proportion of the house.
As it stands, the architecture looks just fine to me. It doesn’t look to have been altered over the years either inside or out. In fact, this is something of a blank canvas for someone. Yes, the detail needs working on, but the structure looks fine – unless you want to go for the large kitchen/diner space. 1930s kitchens are often on the small side and I suspect this one is no different.
The agent mentions original features and there are some there, from the front door and the glazing in the central ‘tower’ to the terraces and hatches. There might be a few other touches I have missed, but looking at the interior, I get more of the 1970s than the 1930s.
It looks like the last major makeover was carried out during that era, as you might have noticed from the kitchen units and the bathroom. Further updates later as well. I notice the radiators and some of the flooring look fairly recent and as you might have spotted, the windows seem to be modern double glazing.
None of that is an issue for me personally. No one has taken drastic design steps here, they have simply updated over the years. Now it is someone else’s turn to perhaps strip out the 1970s and go for something either contemporary or with an eye on the original 1930s look. There’s no reason why you can’t work a mix of both, as that Shrewsbury house does.
The word here is ‘potential’, as the house offers plenty of space inside and out and architecture that catches the eye. It would catch it even more if someone put in some Crittall or Crittall-style windows.
Talking of the space, that starts with the entrance hallway with under stairs storage, downstairs cloakroom and private door to the garage. That access the main space on the ground floor.
First up is the lounge with corner glazed windows, rear windows, radiator, open fire and door to the garden. Beyond that is the dining room with serving hatch and door to the garden and the kitchen, which has doors to the utility room and boiler room. Finally, there is also a larder store.
Head upstairs and for bedroom one with corner and rear windows, a door to an en-suite shower, fitted wardrobes and a door to the balcony.
Bedroom two has both corner and front windows plus strong and washbasin, bedroom three has storage and a rear window and the family bathroom is as 1970s as they come. You also get a tower room opening onto the sizeable roof terrace, which could work as a study or extra bedroom if you need it.
The outside is worth talking about too. The front is laid to lawn with a driveway for off-road parking and a garage with folding doors complete with light and power supply.
The rear garden is made up of lawn and patio areas and judging by the images is quite a private space too.
As I said, it seems like this might end up as a bit of an auction, but the guide price is set at £600,000.
Images and details courtesy of Greys. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
