1930s Marshall Sisson modern house in Newnham, Cambridge
Only the second time this 1930s Marshall Sisson modern house in Newnham, Cambridge has been offered for sale since its construction.
I know that because I wrote about the first time some years back. In fact, you can check out the original article here, complete with pictures of the house as it was in 2013 along with some archive images of the house from the 1930s.
The grade II-listed house was the work of architect Marshall Sisson, built around 1934 and 1935 and is a fine example of British modern movement architecture. It actually stayed in the same family until it was sold in 2014.
It was designed for the (then) Laurence Professor of Classical Archaeology, with the American wife of the Professor insisting on a design that packed in all that was modern at the time.
The design itself is perhaps the most ‘modern’ thing about the finished house, but other lesser-seen features (like central heating for example) were also incorporated into the house. Extra bathrooms (unusual at the time), more bedrooms than you might expect and clever storage solutions were also part of the finished house.
From the original listing, it was noted that the external staircase, ground floor bathroom and door to the foot of the staircase were added so that the ground and upper floors could be ‘rented separately’. Also, the roof parapets, coping and render were undertaken during 2012 and 2013 under the supervision of a conservation architect.
Since changing hands around five years ago, much more work has been carried out here. In fact, something of a thorough renovation.
As you would expect, I have done something of a ‘compare and contrast’ between the images past (circa 2013) and present and agree with the agent that an ‘extensive programme of sympathetic updating’ has been carried out here. But there is one obvious and significant change.
Yes, I am talking about the kitchen. From the past shots, it looked like the kitchen might well have been original (or at the very least, partly original). But like most 1930s kitchens, it was very small. It wasn’t considered to be the ‘heart’ of the house it is today. It was designed for the staff.
That has changed drastically, with a modern and spacious kitchen with an island now in its place. The purists might not like it, but this is a far more practical solution for a larger house, whatever you think of the style.
Beyond that, the owners have preserved much of the original detail, including the staircase, doors, oak flooring, fireplaces, light fittings and even the servant bell board. Yes, the bathrooms might be updated and the furniture isn’t of the original era, but that’s not really the point. The architecture and the key period details are still in place, with the added bonus of a full renovation too.
Of course, space is still a selling point as well. You get 3,197 sq. ft. of living space, with considerable glazing and a clean, white finish ensuring much of that space is light and bright.
The ground floor has a reception hall, which leads to the sitting room with stone fireplace and French doors, a study/family room with stone fireplace and fitted bookshelves, the dining room (with access to the sitting room) and the new kitchen and breakfast area beyond, Behind that is a utility room.
Head up the first floor for four bedrooms and two bath/shower rooms. Go up a further level for a fifth bedroom with en-suite and access to an amazing roof terrace covering 1,073 sq. ft. with amazing views beyond. This is the place for a party.
As for the outside space, the house is set back from the road and screened by trees and bushes. A gravelled driveway leads to a parking area at the rear of the house and a single garage is at the front.
The rear garden is also secluded, with a large expanse of lawn and a variety of flower and shrub beds. In all, it covers around 0.25 acres. Location is also a winner, with Millington Road ‘widely regarded as one of the best residential roads in the city’ according to the agent, one that still retains the original gas street lamps.
Fancy it? The price has gone up since the last time to market, presumably in light of all that work. It is now up with a guide of £2,750,000.
Images and details courtesy of Bidwells. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
