1970s Brooks Thorp Partners modern house in Leeds, West Yorkshire
The second 1970s Brooks Thorp Partners modern house in Leeds, West Yorkshire I have seen for sale. The last one sold in days.
Back in 2018, I featured a house on this development that went crazy traffic-wise, with one of the website readers viewing, then buying the house within a matter of days.
I know which number that was – and I’m pretty sure this isn’t it, as it seems to be a slightly different design. Slightly being the word to use, as these houses use a fairly uniform design.
They make up Monkswood, a bold housing project made up of 10 houses, each one designed by architects Brooks Thorp Partners in the 1970s. Not just a random development, the houses were commissioned by a group of ‘executives and creatives’ from Yorkshire Television who wanted to be based around the Kirkstall area of Leeds.
The houses have that fairly uniform look, but each one was actually a self-build project, with the finish being individual to suit each family’s needs.
The one here is said to be one of the largest and one of the few detached houses on the plot, offering something like 1,650 sq. ft. That’s a selling point. As is the elevated position and views it offers. But the finish within is probably the killer feature for me.
This isn’t a time capsule of the era, but it does have internal space with well-preserved details from the past. Someone has gone out of their way to look after the key features of the original build. Credit to them for doing so.
Credit because it’s the internal layout that really sells these houses. Yes, the exterior with its angular concrete block finish is interesting and catches the eye. But in regard to this one (and the last one for sale), the inside is the thing that really grabs you.
Yes, there are some contemporary details. I’m looking at light fittings, the fireplace and some of the radiators for example. A modern kitchen too, as you would expect. But nothing too radical.
On the contrary, the place is detailed with plenty of midcentury modern furnishings (I love that Robin Day armchair) and as I said, key details are preserved. I am looking at the open layout, the exposed brick, the wood cladding, the internal doors, the wooden staircase, the beams and much, much more. The pictures tell the full story. Updates where necessary, preservation where possible. Always a good mantra.
As for the layout, the front door takes you into the lobby with ‘geometric-brick’ flooring and into the open-plan ground floor space.
The layout is open but effectively zoned out via the brick sections within to split the living and dining space, with each linked via polished-plywood flooring. Also present here is a sunken ‘conversation pit’ with integrated sofas, a recessed fireplace just ahead of that and new glazed bi-fold doors accessing a large south-facing terrace and some great views.
The kitchen is at the rear of the floor and although updated, still uses ‘renewed’ original cabinetry topped with Corian worktops. Also note that amazing 1970s switch box, which is straight out of a period sci-fi TV show or movie. The ground floor is finished off with a study, access to the internal garage and some utility space, as well as a guest WC.
Take a trip up that wonderful open-tread staircase and you access the three bedrooms and the family bathroom. According to the agent, the current owners have restored existing features where possible, which includes original Vola taps, door furniture, cabinetry in the bathrooms and circular mirrors set above the sinks.
Note that the master bedroom also has built-in wardrobes and an en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower.
All of that just a 12-minute drive from the centre of Leeds and all it offers. if you want to move in, you will need something in the region of £425,000.
Images and details courtesy of The Modern House. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
