1950s Wallis, Gilbert and Partners modern house in Chelsea, London SW10
Something of a time capsule, this 1950s Wallis, Gilbert and Partners modern house in Chelsea, London SW10, is now on the market.
In fact, ‘something of a time capsule’ might be an understatement. The house, which was designed by architects, Wallis, Gilbert and Partners in 1956-7 (and featured in the publication Homes and Gardens in March 1959) hasn’t been on the market since the 1960s. And it has barely been touched since then.
That’s the dream if you are a fan of modern or midcentury modern design, as this house still boasts many of the features that were original to the house. Details you would struggle to replicate in a contemporary build. Things are only original once.
Dan Carrington, head of Savills Chelsea, comments: ‘In two decades of estate agency, I have never come across a property that offers as much scope and opportunity as Cathcart Road. This is a one-of-a-kind sale of an architect-designed home in one of the most desirable streets in Chelsea, and through a significant renovation and refurbishment programme, an incoming buyer could create something truly special.’
And that’s the thing. The house is original, but there will be work required here to bring it back to its best. And then there’s the price tag for living in a large plot in such a desirable area. I’ll come to that later. However, to warn you, this doesn’t come cheap.
But if I had the funds, I would certainly be interested.
The house is located around 0.2 miles from the Fulham Road, around half a mile from King’s Road, with South Kensington just a little further along. As I said, a desirable part of the world.
And this house offers a good amount of space within it, both inside and out, especially for this area. The internal space extends to around 3,571 sq. ft. over two floors.
I love the angular 1960s architecture here, which certainly has kerb appeal, but the ‘wow’ factor really hits you as soon as you walk in through the front door. Yes, I am talking about the custom-designed ‘flying staircase’ and the original wood flooring. Let’s hope both are preserved.
Beyond that, there is custom cabinetry, more wood flooring, a quite stunning kitchen with original units still in place, some original light fittings, and, if you really go for authenticity, an original bathroom, too. If you want to keep the look and feel of the 1960s, there are enough key details here to do just that.
But there’s also much to update, including the bathrooms, the bedrooms, the decor and the general functionality for a modern-day family. I know there’s also the option of a complete renovation, and there might even be the option of a complete replacement with the right permissions. But for me, there is still a lot going for the current design. It’s a characterful design and a significant piece of architecture that has aged well over 70 or so years.
Of course, a spacious house too. I mentioned that wonderful hallway, which in turn leads to a sizeable reception and dining room extending to approximately 46 ft and taking up the entire western side of the ground floor.
That stunning kitchen is located at the rear of the house, leading through to a utility room and an additional reception room that has previously been used as a playroom. In addition, there is a plant room, guest W/C and a double garage. I know a lot of car fanatics read the site, so I’m sure that last feature will be of particular interest.
The first floor is occupied by a total of five bedrooms, along with two bathrooms and a self-contained two-bedroom apartment (known as 12a Cathcart Road), which is located over the garage. Useful.
The agent’s photos also indicate a significant amount of land outside, especially for this part of London. Again, ‘potential’ is the name of the game here, and with the right vision, it could be the perfect summer space for a gathering.
A big house, a good-sized plot and a location within one of the more desirable parts of the capital city. Of course, this modern house in Chelsea doesn’t come cheap. If you want to be the next owner, the guide price is in the region of £8,000,000.
Images and details courtesy of Savills. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
