Julia Netherwood’s contemporary detached home in Foxglove Road, Almondbury, would certainly have raised a few eyebrows when it was first built in 1967.
Designed by Huddersfield architect Arthur Quarmby, the house was ahead of it’s time and offered flexible accommodation as an upside down house with bedrooms on the lower floor, a mezzanine level over the main living area, large picture windows, spacious airy rooms and an open feature roof space. To say the least, the property would have been considered quirky and very modern in the 1960s.
Julia, who is now wanting to downsize but still stay within the village of Almondbury, said: “When the house was built, it was constructed with dressed stone from the former Pack Horse Hotel in Kirkgate, Huddersfield which was by the entrance to today’s shopping centre which bears the same name.
“I can remember one of the builders sitting outside the house dressing all the stone. When Arthur designed the house, it was very unusual at the time.’’
The house is built on land which was originally part of Huddersfield’s Ramsden Estate and was one of the first plots to be built on in Foxglove Road which was then gradually developed with individual detached homes.
At first glance from the roadside this property looks more like a single story bungalow but step inside and the house is real revelation with big spacious rooms and a two-storey layout to the rear with large windows overlooking the garden.
The ground-floor entrance leads into a large reception area which could also be used as a dining hall. This leads through into the large sitting room which has a feature Lakeland Stone fireplace, a breakfast/morning room, the kitchen and the ground floor
bathroom.
A staircase leads to the lower floor where there are three bedrooms (two doubles and a single), all with fitted wardrobes. The master bedroom has double doors leading out on to the garden.
Underneath the house, on the lower-floor, there is also an undeveloped area which could be made into a gymnasium, office or playroom if a new owner wants to open it up as part of the house.
One of the most unusual features of this home is the feature wooden ceiling over the sitting room which acts as a mezzanine level.
Julia said: “At the moment this area is just used for storage but when the children were little, we had umpteen parties up there. The children loved it up there. It is accessed by a flight of wooden stairs and is a real feature of the house.’’
The house’s original wooden front door is designed in the same style as the apex of the ceiling.
“I’ve lived here for 47 years and the children grew up here. It’s a great family home and I shall be very sad to leave after all this time.’’
Outside the house has a double garage, extensive driveway and well tended gardens to the front and rear.
The back garden has a large lawned area, established plants and a south facing patio area for sitting out to enjoy the sunshine. The garden backs on to Penny Spring Wood which offers a pleasant backdrop.
This is a quirky and unusual house with plenty of space for a family and close to the local amenities in Almondbury.
The property is being marketed by
Boultons estate agents 01484 515029.
PRICE: £335,000.
