WowHaus

A 1960s Hird and Brooks midcentury modern house in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan has come up for sale and is likely to sell fast.

Why? Well, the location for one. Penarth, which is on the coast and just a short distance from Cardiff, is always a sought-after location. Throw in some statement architecture and you hair something very special.

This is statement architecture too, known in the area and being offered for sale for the first time in 45 years. This is a rare opportunity to pick up something midcentury modern in the area and in largely original condition too.

A single-storey house by renowned local architects Hird and Brooks, it can be found on ‘one of Penarth’s most popular roads’ and near the local tennis club, with the added advantage of sitting on a double-sized plot. I’ll come to the outside space later, which is a talking point in itself. But first, let’s talk about the house.

Because the house is the headline act here, without question. Offering up a British version of a Californian home, this is the kind of place many of us dream about.

You know the kind of thing. Open-plan, single level accommodation, exposed brick, beams, timber ceilings (and some timber walls too), with the sun pouring in through all of that glass and offering great views over your extensive garden. 1960s modernism at its best.

The house has been updated over the years (as you would expect), but still retains the original character. That’s not always the case with these houses and the updates and the general upkeep are a credit to the current, long-term owners.

The updates are, by and large, functional or furnishings. A look through the images suggest the glazing has been upgrading, the burner in the living room is recent, the kitchen has been updated fairly recently and the bathrooms too. As I said, functional stuff. Elsewhere, it’s really a case of imagining your own furniture in this place.

There is a lot of space in this house too, some of it not that obvious at first glance. But most of it flexible if you need to adapt to your own needs. That’s another plus when it comes to houses like this.

As I said, all the space on the ground floor, kicking off with the entrance hall with windows to the front, skylights, built-in storage, the first of the timber ceilings and exposed brick walls, another feature common throughout.

Most of the key living space is off that. First up, the second bedroom, which was actually once used as a dental practice. Yes, this was once a home/workspace. With that this in mind, you could probably use as a living room, home office or whatever you like. It has double glazed windows to the front and side fitted storage and an en-suite, as well as a large cupboard leading to a boiler room.

Further along is the open kitchen diner, with views over the rear garden. See the listing for full details of this space, but suffice to say most (if not all) modern-day essentials are in place, with sliding doors to the garden too,

The lounge also has views over the garden via the full-height windows and access to the garden and terrace via sliding doors, as well as a wood-burning stove, the original timber clad ceiling and access to the master bedroom.

That master suite also has access to the terrace via sliding doors plus fitted storage, painted brick walls and a timber ceiling, with access to the en-suite bathroom as well.

More space in the games room (also potentially a further bedroom) with more of those garden views and again, access to it via sliding doors. Finishing off the layout is a utility room has a tiled floor and access to the garage and workshops, two further bedrooms, a shower room, a family bathroom and your very own wine cellar with concrete floor and fitted storage.

That should be enough for anyone. But there is more. First off, a very large garage space, effectively two garages, with electric roller shutter doors, concrete floor, windows, skylights, fitted storage and workbenches. Oh yes, that garden area too.

First off, the front, which has a ‘very private’ forecourt with parking for multiple vehicles plus well-established plants.

But it’s the rear garden that catches the eye. A large, landscaped garden mainly laid to lawn, but with mature plants and paved patios/terraces too. Not only that, but you also get a swimming pool and diving board, described as ‘unusually large for a domestic pool’. The area also has changing rooms, a pool plant room and a vine-clad pergola that covers the poolside dining area.

Finishing things off are two greenhouses plus a walled garden, which is available via separate negotiation. I would definitely want my own kitchen garden, but that’s down to you.

At least, it will be down to you if you buy it. The house is up for offers over £950,000. I suspect this one will be incredibly popular, so if you are interested, don’t hang about.

Images and details courtesy of David Baker and Co. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.