1950s modern house in Southampton, Hampshire
One I spotted some time back, but only now can I feature this 1950s modern house in Southampton, Hampshire and its period details.
The reason? Well, it was with another agent in the past who didn’t want to publicise it. Strange, but you have to run with these things. Fast forward a couple of months, and the house is with an agent who does, which is a welcome bonus.
It’s a house worth talking about, too. Although it doesn’t perhaps have the statement architecture to pull you in, this is a sizeable house in a large plot with one massive selling point. Its interior.
This one is packed full of the kind of period detail you struggle to find these days. Very little has been changed or updated since this house was built back in 1955. It would be a crying shame if most or all of it were ripped out. Because it really is quite something.
Of course, that also means ‘significant renovation and modernisation’ is also required. But that’s the trade-off. It will need a steady nerve and a lot of thought to work out how that plays out. You don’t want to lose all that character, but you also need a home fit for the modern-day family.
You do get a lot of living space over the three floors. Something like 1,485 sq. ft. in total, as well as a large south-facing terrace and balcony overlooking the substantial plot.
Within that living space are all of those original period details you see in the photos. Everything from Crittall windows, bespoke cabinetry, exposed stone walls and the original internal doors and door furniture through to the most wonderful 1950s kitchen. Please don’t lose those kitchen units.
There’s so much character here, even without the furniture in place. Just by clearing this out and adding in some midcentury modern fittings, you’ll lift this one considerably. A tweak of the kitchen, and some new decor, and you will have something special. It would be a crying shame to lose something that has been in place for the best part of 70 years.
The house itself is set back from the road by a large private driveway, with off-street parking for several vehicles as well as an integral garage.
The ground floor entrance takes you to a central hall, with the kitchen to the immediate right. So much to love here, from the units to the garden views. There’s also a pantry to one side.
Adjacent to that is a living room complete with bespoke joinery, original floorboards and an open fireplace set into an original stone hearth. This room also accesses the sunroom, study and the terrace. A WC is also on this level.
Head up a floor, and you will find two bedrooms, each with the original midcentury joinery and built-in wardrobes still in place. The main bedroom leads to a second sunroom and onto the balcony. The bathroom is, as you might guess, completely original.
That’s not quite all, as a large basement ‘offers great potential for further living space, a studio or a fitness room’. A shower room with WC is on one side, with the to the opposite side of the basement level.
In terms of the outside, the terrace and balconies I have already mentioned give you a view of the land on offer. Those are described as ‘sweeping tiered gardens’ extending from two sides of the house. Lawns are bordered by dense layers of mature trees and shrubs, with potential for further landscaping here, too.
That’s pretty much it. Potential is the word here, and if you see potential in this as a future home, the house is just on the market for £525,000.
Images and details courtesy of The Modern House. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
