1960s modernist renovation project in Brettenham, Suffolk
I thought this had sold, but this 1960s modernist renovation project in Brettenham, Suffolk has just gone back on the market.
Known as Tall Trees, the house dates from the late 1960s and has been in the same ownership since construction 50 or so years ago. It went up for sale back in July and as far as I can see, hasn’t changed at all since. Same photos, similar details. So if you had your eye on in previously, perhaps have a second look now.
The agent actually describes this as ‘art deco style design’, which it isn’t. This is at the modernist end of midcentury modern, a distinctive and bold piece of architecture for the era built around a central courtyard.
If you want to see what it was like back in the day, a photo taken nearer the construction date is at the bottom of the page. But note that it is an old photo and viewing is likely to be required to get an idea of condition and surroundings in the current era if you are a serious buyer.
On the plus side, this is being marketed as a house rather than a ‘knockdown’ for the land. There’s no guarantee that it won’t be used for the land as Tall Trees isn’t (as far as I can see) a listed building and it does sit on something like 2.3 acres of land. But the house is the headline act here. The land is a nice bonus.
That house is something of a time capsule of the era. The design itself screams 1960s modernism, both inside and out. But the interior really seals the deal.
The full-height glazing, the beams on the ceilings, the open-plan living space, the sliding internal doors, the oh-so-60s kitchen and the finishes and detailing in each room. It’s frustrating that there are so few inside shots of the house, but what’s there pretty much tells the story of what you have here.
That’s not quite all as the 2.3 acres of land contains a ‘reasonably extensive range’ of brick-built single-storey outbuildings which are likely to have been constructed in association with nearby Old Buckenham Hall. These buildings also require ‘general updating’, but offer plenty of potential in their own right.
The grounds also play host to a swimming pool too, although in recent years that has been used as an ornamental fish pond, so perhaps it needs some work to get it back to its original use. Not that the grounds are also ‘largely screened’ from the road by a wooded area, with a central orchard, and a walled garden along one side of the house too. Finally, a double garage is attached to the house.
Fancy it? Well, if the idea of a 1960s renovation project appeals, this one is up for offers over £550,000. The land no doubt adding to the asking price for this one.
Images and details courtesy of Lacy, Scott and Knight. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
Thanks to Graham for the tip-off about this one being back up for sale.
Jo on 19 December, 2019 4:41 am
Fantastic 1960’s modernist renovation project, that needs plenty of work to bring it back to splendour.
Went on the market July 2019 with a guide price of £450,000 & web page said SOLD approximately 4 weeks later.
Now its back on the market with it appears no work being carried out on it approximately 5 months later with a huge price increase of £100,000+++
Offers in excess of £550,000 is a hell of a price jump in 5 months