1960s Elbury Hall by Mervyn Seal in Brixham, Devon
For me, the most exciting house to go up for sale this year. The 1960s Elbury Hall by Mervyn Seal in Brixham, Devon, is on the market.
This is exciting for many reasons, the main one being a rare opportunity to purchase arguably the finest of all the Mervyn Seal designs. Yes, the nearby Parkham Wood House might be the best known, but that’s just one of a few interesting designs in the area. And this one, for me, is top of the pile.
Has it been up for sale before? I’m honestly not sure. However, the authenticity of the design, with so little touch since its construction in 1962, suggests that it is not.
I mentioned the noted and grade II-listed Parkham Wood House, and this design is very much in keeping with that ‘look’, with just a couple of years between construction.
Yes, the butterfly roof, which is pretty much Mervyn Seal’s calling card in the area. But also the heavy glazing within the design and the design principles at work here.
Spaces within are not defined by walls but by volume, glazing, light, and subtle level changes. This design is inspired by US midcentury modern architecture but sits in a very British setting, with views out to sea and to the rear over a golf course.
It’s also a design that has come around again. I can imagine Elbury Hall being viewed as rather ‘old hat’ back in the 1980s and 1990s. But midcentury modern design like this has come back, and the style doesn’t get much more appealing than what we have here.
The angles, the glazing, the coloured panels, the concrete, the stone, and the interesting roof line and roof texture make this a house you can’t stop looking at from the outside. And the fact that it hasn’t been touched (outside of practicality) makes it all the better.
By that, I mean the windows look to have been upgraded to double glazing later, which isn’t obvious and is no bad thing. I imagine the Devon coast can get a touch chilly in the winter. But the glazing is one of the few upgrades here.
This is both a positive and a negative. The positives weigh in much more heavily, but it is worth noting that it is being sold as a renovation opportunity, and work would be required to bring it back to its best. Zooming in on some of the photos tells you as much.
But renovation opportunities like this rarely come around. It’s the kind of renovation where you must tread carefully to avoid losing its character. It would be scandalous if someone ripped out the original details here.
Not everything is quite original. The kitchen looks like a later update, and the main bathroom is much the same, although neither is very recent. The radiators hint at a more recent upgrade, too. But I have been through the images many times now, and I can’t see much beyond that.
As I said, that’s a plus and a minus. The opportunity to retain so many original details is exciting. But I imagine that the money needed, beyond the asking price, is also significant in bringing it back to its best state. It’s a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity, though, if you have the funds available. All the better if you love your golf.
The interior is a dream, with 1960s details at pretty much every turn. A ramped gallery walkway leads past picture windows, with dramatic views through the double-height central living space and out to the sea beyond. That’s special.
It’s also a first glimpse at key details/themes throughout this one, including the timber-lined ceilings, the original stonework, and the glazed internal walls.
The main reception space steps down into a sunken lounge, with floor-to-ceiling glazing framing the outlook across Torbay. I love that stone fireplace in the second reception; it’s beyond that.
The kitchen/breakfast room is in its own wing, with direct access to a large carport and utility room. It is likely a later addition and almost certainly a room you would want to update, but it is a huge space nonetheless.
There are four bedrooms in total, three on the ground floor and one on the first floor. Each has its own private balcony and a wonderfully retro en-suite bathroom. There are also two further bathrooms in the house.
The agent has the bedrooms (quite rightly) and bathrooms in need of renovation. That’s about right, but I would consider maintaining the look and feel of the rooms with the coloured panel decor even if you can’t work with the original details still in place. I would consider keeping much of the bathroom, though, that still has its 1960s fittings and tiling.
That’s not all, though, as the house still has one more surprise—a self-contained ‘leisure wing’. This part of the house pretty much screams the era. It’s the ultimate 1960s party zone.
As you can see, out features a large spa pool, a sauna, and what’s described as a ‘unique’ retro-style bar area. All of these have direct access to the outside if the party needs to spread out a bit.
Like much of this one, the leisure wing is crying out to be used as a TV or filming location for a 1960s or 1970s film/show. Once it has gone, it would be impossible to replace.
The outside space is worth talking about, too. The plot extends to around half an acre, with tiered lawns, mature planting, and those uninterrupted sea views across Torbay and beyond. The rear boundary opens onto Churston Golf Course, which is nice if you love that particular sport.
If you love your cars, there’s also a wide driveway and a detached double garage—and I know a lot of you love your cars.
It’s very rare to find a house of this architectural merit in such original condition. Yes, it isn’t a cheap option, but I suspect interest will be high. If you are interested in it, you’ll want to know the price. This one is on the market with a guide price of £1,300,000.
Images and details courtesy of By Design Homes. For more details and to make an enquiry, please visit the website.
