1960s time capsule and modern house in Nottingham
A standout house in the area, this 1960s time capsule and modern house in Nottingham is now on the market.
The aerial shots on the listing show that it stands out. A variety of housing styles surround this one, but none quite like this particular 1960s build. It was individually architect-designed and is still pretty much as it was designed 60 years on.
I don’t have an architect’s name, but this is a good-looking modernist design. It takes some inspiration, particularly from within, from US midcentury modern design, although the exterior is typical of UK modernism of the day.
That’s no bad thing, by the way. This is an angular build on a good-sized plot, with plenty of glazing to take in the surroundings and to boost the natural light within. Some minor updates over the years, but nothing radical. And it’s no surprise to hear that this is a ‘first time on the market’ house.
Those updates are, on the face of it, pretty much confined to the glazing being updated and the occasional fixtures, fitting and furnishing. There may be more if you take a viewing. But on the face of it, very little else.
And that’s the beauty of this one. It is being marketed as a ‘renovation or development opportunity’, and the large plot might push some people towards the latter. But please don’t write off the former. There is so much potential here.
In addition to a design that lends itself to 21st-century living, the house is packed with premium 1960s finishes. As ever, not everything has aged well. But the vast majority has—and there is so much here that buyers looking for something in this style will pay a premium.
The large rooms for one, as well as the semi-open plan layout. The kitchen might not be perfect in its current form, but its positioning works, and I love that counter/breakfast area that separates it from the dining room.
Elsewhere, wood-clad ceilings abound, as do the built-in furnishings. Again, some have aged better than others (and some look fairly recent), but overall, I really like the built-ins.
That wooden room divider is rather cool too, as it the lighting, the internal doors, and the tiled flooring. I’m intrigued to know if the original wood floors are still in place under those carpets. Something to ask about at a viewing. One thing that is under your feet is underfloor heating, complete with individual room thermostats.
So much potential here. In many ways, this is a blank canvas. Take out the (removable) furniture, and you’ll doubtless get an idea of the space on offer. It’s a very unfussy design. Apart from the odd detail (like the gas fire in the living room, for example), there’s nothing significant to remove. Yes, the kitchen and bathroom will need work, but isn’t that the case for most houses?
Property like this is getting harder to find, so if you are looking in this part of the world, I would recommend booking a look at this one ASAP (as long as your budget permits).
As I said, space is a selling point with this one, with the majority of that space being on a single floor.
A good-sized entrance hallway kicks things off, with that wooden space divider being a particular eye-catching detail. Take a first look at those wooden ceilings, too, which seem in remarkably good condition. There is also built-in lighting.
Depending on the direction you go, the kitchen is just beyond that, which is as retro as it comes. Functionally, it might struggle in the 21st century. But you can see it working stylistically with an update. The dining room is beyond that, with outside access there.
Further along is the focal point of the house, the lounge area. A large, light-filled space that could and should be the midcentury modern dream with the right decor and furnishings. And there’s no shortage of that on the shelves. A sliding door to one of the bedrooms, too.
Returning to the hallway, a separate corridor with built-in cabinets takes you to the bedroom zone, which has the bathroom and utility space at the centre of the house.
There are five bedrooms of differing sizes, but all with full-height glazing and some kind of built-in storage. Note that one has a large built-in desk and some book shelving, which, according to the agent, makes it ‘perfect’ for a home office.
That’s not quite all the space, as this one has that 1960s essential—the underground garage, accessible via a drive to the side of the house. It looks like a big space, whether that’s for cars or general storage. In short, it’s very useful. An outside WC connected to it might well be useful, too.
Talking of the outside, this one has what’s described as ‘a larger than average plot’ with a ‘laid to lawn’ front garden, a pathway way and steps leading to the front entrance door, mature shrubbery and trees, plus mature hedges that create ‘ideal screening’.
The rear of the house has a mix of lawn, fruit trees, and an allotment patch with raised vegetable beds and space for a garden shed.
So, there is a lot of house, but work will be required to bring it back to its best. The guide price for this one is £450,000.
Images and details courtesy of Robert Ellis. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
