1950s Bill Nimmo modern house in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland
Barely touched for decades, this 1950s Bill Nimmo modern house in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute, Scotland, is now up for sale.
There is a good reason for that. The house has been in the same family ownership since 1959.
Yes, Invermay was designed in 1959 by a then-young Lanarkshire architect called Bill Nimmo, who later made his name with Wm Nimmo & Partners, who had offices in Glasgow and London.
The father of the current seller worked closely with Bill on the design of the house, wanting to maximise the south-facing views over the garden and beyond over the Firth of Clyde. Note that on a clear day, you can see the hills of Arran in the distance.
It’s a house that has been loved both inside and out over its lifetime, with very little change of any substance over the passing decades. Yes, the windows are likely to have been updated, the occasional fixture and some decor. But that’s pretty much it.
According to the seller, originality runs deep, right down to the original Armitage Shanks blue suite in one of the bathrooms, which, sadly, isn’t pictured. But many other details are. Yes, some updating will be required to bring it more in keeping with the 21st century. But there’s much to keep and maintain here too.
A glance at the photos will tell you that. Of course, the star of the show is that staircase framed by the oversized window at the front of the house. Quite the statement.
Beyond that, check out the extensive built-in teak/wood storage, cupboards, desks and more in various rooms, the original wooden custom-built cupboards in the kitchen, the original wood and glass doors, as well as the original light fittings. All are worth keeping, not least because they are part of the fabric of the original house design.
Talking of the house design, note the large windows looking out onto the equally large garden, the Norwegian slate roof, the Tyrolean finish on the walls and the cedar detailing too. Not the kind of thing you see on houses every day.
As I said, there is updating work required, but it’s more in terms of the finish and detail. With the right furniture, some midcentury touches to the detailing, and, of course, some appropriate decor, this could be something rather special.
The house is approached via a private gravel driveway, which leads to the glazed entrance door and into the vestibule that, in turn, opens into the hallway. The large windows to the front set the scene, boost the light, and frame that wonderful staircase.
Double glass opaque doors lead to the sitting room, which has a full wall of picture windows overlooking the garden as well as a fireplace, and double sliding doors lead to the dining room.
In turn, that takes you to the kitchen, which is where you will find all those original kitchen units. A rare find indeed.
Off the hallway is the garden room with sliding doors leading to the garden, with a cloakroom and WC completing the ground floor layout.
That wonderful staircase leads to the upper floor, where there are five bedrooms (one of which could also be used as a home office) and two bathrooms, one of which still contains an original 1950s suite if you like that level of authenticity. A box room and linen cupboard add some storage space as well.
The south-facing gardens are (rightly) described as ‘generous’ in size and mainly laid to lawn with mature shrubs, including rhododendrons and azaleas and mature trees. A raised patio, too, for summer dining.
Note also a garage to the side and additional storage via a store in the back door porch area, plus an external garden tool shed. That pretty much covers it.
If this modern house in Helensburgh and this part of the world is somewhere you can see yourself living in, the asking price is offers over £500,000.
Images and details courtesy of Savills. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
