1960s midcentury modern house in Cambridge
This 1960s midcentury modern house in Cambridge is one of the more fascinating finds of late. And quite the time capsule.
It’s fascinating because there doesn’t seem to be much background detail available on it. Hidden away by design, it is also rather secretive about its past. But I think we can safely say this is an individual architect’s design from the 1960s.
Outside of that, I have very little. If you know anything at all, please do get in touch. More than happy to add in extra facts if you know any.
What I do know is that the house is located in what the agent describes as a ‘coveted riverside locale within the city’, and ‘nestled within a row of historic residences’. It’s a prime area and as a result, this house has a price to match.
But if your budget stretches that far, do take a look. This is something of a project, but it is also the kind of time capsule you would struggle to find in such a high-end area. There is so much potential here.
A single-storey house with large windows and an emphasis on a wood finish both inside and out. The garden should be quite a pleasant space once it has been returned to its best. The house looks quite private, too, set back from the road, with the main house hidden by the garden and garage.
That main house is quite something once you step inside. As I said, the design and the exterior are rather pleasant, but the interior, for me, seals the deal.
I know I have featured a few time capsules and untouched houses lately, but this one is up there with the best of them. Changes are kept to an absolute minimum.
Maybe the radiators. Perhaps updates to the glazing. But beyond that and the occasional light shade, there is very little difference here between the house now and half a century ago. That’s quite exciting.
And yes, this is the classic blank canvas. The furniture is gone, so you can see the space and potential on offer here. All those wonderful midcentury modern details are intact and ripe for being the backdrop of an amazing house in the 21st century.
Where do you start? Well, the obvious place would be the main living room. It is a large space with wood-clad ceilings, a mix of wood and tile for the flooring, a wooden feature wall, large windows, and, of course, open access to the kitchen via the bar.
The kitchen, while in need of updating, is the MCM dream. With a thoughtful update, it could be the dream cooking space.
Beyond that, the theme continues throughout with wood-lined walls, tile floors, wooden floors, plenty of natural light, and good-sized rooms. Originality is to the fore—right down to the bathroom (for better or worse, depending on your love of authenticity).
The agent describes it as a ‘one of a kind,’ and it is hard to disagree. With a modest update and the right finish and furnishings, someone will have something very special here. It would be a dream midcentury modern dwelling if you have the money to invest.
As for the space, that main living room is described as the ‘main hub of the home’, with the kitchen easily accessible just off it.
Beyond that, there are four double bedrooms, a family bathroom, a separate WC, and a utility room with WC. Generous corridors and an entrance area, all with bags of character.
As I mentioned, there is a garden here, as well as off-street parking options. The garden looks overgrown but could be very pleasant once cut back. It’s mostly laid to lawn with a patio area, fruit trees and shrub borders, and a sunny central courtyard with a grapevine.
The area and the architecture dictate the price here, which is in excess of £850,000.
Images and details courtesy of Hockeys. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
Update: Thanks to social media feedback, I now know the architect was Mike Heffer.
