Elmwood was originally constructed in 1883 for a Mr Squires, a local businessman and the original owner of the biscuit factory, he commissioned the construction of a fine detached villa set back from Akenside Terrace in the heart of Jesmond’s ‘village.’ It has immediate access from Clayton Road into the cosmopolitan shopping facilities available nearby and has fine views down Fernwood Road to the Mansion House.
In 2005 Lifehouse Ltd acquired the building and began an extensive restoration programme which led to the property being acquired by the current owners in 2008. Since that time further improvements have been commissioned including the installation of a magnificent 9’6 wide by 2’3 deep, glazed fish aquarium, which divides two of the principal reception rooms at the front of the house. The fish aquarium could be available by separate negotiation. The tank to one room is surrounded by handmade, walnut, bespoke furniture providing beautiful display cabinets and bookcases. Many of the windows also benefit from the fitting of plantation shutters and the property has been extremely well kept and maintained over recent years.
Following the significant refurbishment of the house in 2005, the property had the benefit of a two storey newly constructed wing added to the rear of the house, which is very sympathetic to the original design and architecture of the building. The house now provides an abundance of original features complimented by modern, tasteful interior design and styling.
The comprehensive programme of works includes a sophisticated electrical heating system, total replastering and overhaul of the main roof and all joinery. The house has a number of highly impressive features including beautiful stained and leaded glass windows and Victorian marble fireplaces with cast iron inserts and a magnificent entrance hall with parquet flooring and handmade, bespoke, solid oak staircase.
The accommodation includes an entrance vestibule that leads to the reception hall, providing a focal point to the house, a very welcoming area to this magnificent home, ideal for entertaining.
The principal drawing room to the front of the house has an impressive bay window as well as an original Victorian marble fireplace and stunning, vibrant and ever changing fish tank which divides both reception rooms.
The family sitting room is also to the front of the property with a lovely bay window and fabulous fireplace as well as the bespoke, handmade walnut furniture and fish aquarium.
The third reception room is at the rear of the house and is a family study room which could be used as a dining room. It overlooks the landscaped gardens and has a lovely marble fireplace.
Undoubtedly one of the finest features of this house is the kitchen/breakfast room which has been formed from the new wing which has been added to the rear of the house. The kitchen/breakfast room represents one of the finest kitchens we have seen in the North East of England. It has extensive walnut cabinets, light granite worktops and quality integrated appliances, as well as a bespoke four oven AGA, finished in lilac. The floor is travertine marble and there is a sophisticated lighting system and integrated sound system. This is a stunning room which has four sets of floor to ceiling double glass doors which over look the gardens. There is a spacious pantry accessed through an etched glass door. A further door leads to a utility passageway, connecting to the side courtyard, the utility room and a cloakroom/wc.
To the first floor the principal landing has access to three double bedrooms, the master bedroom with en-suite dressing room and en-suite shower room/wc. The second double guest room has an en-suite shower room/wc and the third double bedroom has access to the family bathroom with a free standing bath and separate shower. The rear landing leads to a fourth double bedroom with en-suite shower room/wc and access to its own terrace. There is a fifth bedroom also of double proportions. Two walk-in cupboards and a linen store complete the first floor accommodation.
A cleverly concealed staircase leads from the first floor landing to the second floor, which provides an ideal space for a work studio, guest accommodation or space for teenagers. Beneath the stairs is a ‘kitchette.’ The second floor has two bedrooms and a cloakroom/wc.
All of the bathrooms and shower rooms are high quality with travertine marble to the walls and floors. The house has an abundance of character and charm with high ceilings, lovely windows and beautiful cornicing. The house has fine views to the front along Fernwood Road whilst at the rear enjoys a high degree of privacy and is not overlooked at all.
Elmwood is a very special house and has been restored without compromise to the highest possible standards. Its location in a highly sought after area of Jesmond is extremely central and has easy walking access into Newcastle’s city centre, the hospitals and the universities. This is a beautiful home without comparison within its area.
The gardens at the front are tremendous, there is a double gated access and stone pillars to the drive, leading to a single garage. The gardens at the rear are charming, professionally landscaped with terraces and patios and lovely lawns with well stocked borders. This is a highly impressive family home.
The property comprises:
ENTRANCE VESTIBULE
Access is to the front and side of the property with a beautiful, tall panelled door with stained and leaded glass feature window above and to the side, leading into the entrance vestibule. With painted wood panelling and rush matting as well as a panelled and glazed door leading through to the reception hallway.
RECEPTION HALLWAY
21’8 x 14’11 (6.63m x 4.50m)
A magnificent entrance and reception hall to the house, which acts as a focal point to all the ground floor reception rooms. The hallway has stunning, light oak herring bone flooring, which contrasts very well with the beautiful painted panelling to the walls which incorporates a high mantle fireplace surround with slate trim and hearth to the open grate insert. The hallway has a classic bisque radiator, individual thermostat, lovely stained and leaded glass window, cornicing detailing, spotlighting to the ceiling and a superb, handmade oak staircase which curves and leads up to the first floor landing.
The panelling to the side of the chimney breast cleverly conceals a door leading to a cloaks store cupboard with electric circuit breaker control panel, dimmer control panel for the light circuit and TV aerial amplifiers. Under the main staircase there is a further concealed door giving access to a useful storage cupboard housing the gas and electric meters as well as a hatch door leading beneath the floor for service access.
From the reception hallway the first set of panelled, double doors lead into the magnificent kitchen/breakfasting room.
KITCHEN/BREAKFAST ROOM (front and side facing)
22’7 x 21’6 (6.89m x 6.562m)
This is without doubt one of the most impressive kitchens we have ever viewed within the North East of England. Situated within a newly built wing to the house, four sets of floor to ceiling double glass doors overlook the gardens and flood the room with light. The kitchen incorporates an extensive arrangement of walnut base, wall and drawer cabinets with light granite worktops which are formed around two central islands, as well as the base cabinets set either side of the AGA. The island units incorporate stainless Franke sink units with mono bloc taps and a five ring SMEG gas hob finished in stainless steel. The wall cabinets and larder units incorporate a Siemens wine chiller and an AEG Santo refrigerator and an AEG Aerctis freezer. There is a Bosch microwave combination oven, a separate Bosch electric oven and a Bosch warming drawer. One of the island units incorporates a Bosch dishwasher, as well as display shelving, built-in pan drawers and large larder cupboards. The focal point of the room is the bespoke coloured AGA, which was custom enamelled for the client. It is a four oven AGA, finished in pale lilac and black, with two hot plates and separate griddle and has custom made lilac glass back splashes. The whole room is complemented by the travertine marble flooring as well as the bisque traditional radiators. There is a mode lighting system and integrated sound. The kitchen also has contemporary wall lighting, decorative display recesses and an etched glass door leading to a spacious pantry, which is extremely well fitted with granite worktops, drawer units, pull-out wicker baskets, open shelving and spotlighting.
LAUNDRY ROOM (front facing)
9’2 x 5’7 (2.794m x 1.706m)
With granite worktop surfaces, fitted base units, Belfast sink unit, spacing for a washing machine and tumble dryer, brushed chrome power points and light sockets, heated chrome towel rail, spotlighting to the ceiling and window overlooking the side courtyard.
CLOAKROOM/WC
With white two piece suite comprising close coupled wc, wash hand basin with chrome mono bloc tap, heated chrome towel rail, travertine marble flooring and skirtings, mosaic tiled walls, Expelair unit and window overlooking rear gardens.
Returning to the entrance hall a door leads off to the principal drawing room.
DRAWING ROOM (front facing)
22’4 into the bay window x 20’11 (6.8m x 6.386m)
The room has two double panelled radiators, very tasteful emulsion wall colouring with picture rail and cornice detailing and a stunning bay window. All of the windows to the front of the house benefit from plantation shutters for security and privacy, and have restored brass furniture and espaniolette bolts. The focal point of the room is the magnificent marble Victorian fireplace with its elaborately carved pillars, cast iron insert and slate hearth. There are a number of double power sockets, as well as standard lamp sockets and TV aerial points. The most significant improvement to this room in recent years is the installation of a fish aquarium which is 9’6 width x 2’3 height, and divides both the drawing room and family sitting room at the front of the property. It is a beautiful, colourful and vibrant tank, a lovely back drop to the contemporary, yet period room.
The third door leading from the hallway connects to the family sitting room.
SITTING ROOM (front facing)
21’11 into the bay window x 14’8 (6.68m x 4.47m) including fitted bookcase.
This is a fabulous room which has a tremendous bay window with stained glass and leaded upper panes with plantation shutters fitted to both the front and the side windows. The major improvement to this room is the installation of handmade, walnut bespoke furniture which surrounds the 9’6 x 2’3 fish aquarium, which is an outstanding feature of the room. The walnut furniture extends to provide book displays and audio plinths and storage cupboards which match the fitted display to one side of the chimney breast. The room has a classic bisque radiator, standard lamp sockets, picture rail, cornicing and decorative plaster work to a central ceiling rose. There is a magnificent Victorian marble fireplace with beautifully polished cast iron insert and open grate on a slate hearth, infra red alarm sensor, TV aerial point and dimmer switch light controls.
The last door leading from the entrance hall connects to the study/dining room.
STUDY/DINING ROOM(rear facing)
16’10 x 14’(5.146m x 4.269m)
With three sash windows overlooking the landscaped gardens to the rear terrace, beautiful Victorian marble fireplace with polished cast iron insert and grate on a slate hearth, double panelled radiator, fabulous plaster work and cornicing as well as ceiling rose, deep skirting boards, standard lamp sockets, TV aerial point and telephone point. Fitted storage display cases either side of the chimney breast with open shelving and base store cupboards as well as CD display shelving. A beautiful room.
Returning to the entrance hall the main staircase has been hand crafted in solid oak by a local professional and has been very carefully designed and fitted with beautifully turned spindles, hand carved oak handrail and square newel posts.
LANDING
With two arched windows overlooking the gardens. The rear landing has two sets of double doors leading to built-in storage space and cupboards, one of which has an access ladder leading to the roof void, which is part of the extension to the house and is boarded and ideal for the storage of luggage. There is also a door to the boiler cupboard housing the Keston c55 wall mounted gas fired central heating for central heating and domestic hot water as well as the Heatrae Sadia Megaflo high capacity hot water tank.
BEDROOM FOUR (rear facing)
14’6 x 13’5 (4.418m x 4.102m)
With double panelled radiator, TV aerial points, power points, cornice detailing, sash window, as well as large double casement window that leads out onto a first floor terrace. The terrace has elaborately detailed cast iron balustrades which surround the stone copings.
EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM
Very well appointed with Verona travertine marble wall and floor tiles, double shower recess with rainforest shower head, wash hand basin with mono bloc tap, close coupled wc, heated chrome towel rail, spotlighting to the ceiling and Expelair unit.
BEDROOM FIVE/DRESSING ROOM (front facing)
10’0 x 13’11 (3.046m x 4.245m)
With a lovely window overlooking the front approach to the house, with plantation shutters, cornice detailing, double panelled radiator, deep skirting boards, TV aerial point and power points. This bedroom is currently well fitted out with professional, birch wood furniture including display shelving, hanging rail space and open drawer units with excellent storage areas.
PRINCIPAL FIRST FLOOR LANDING
With double panelled radiator, four doors off to further accommodation:
BEDROOM ONE (front facing)
22’4 into the bay window x 13’0 (6.819m x 4.2m)
A fabulous room with lovely light sunshine from its westerly aspect at the front of the house. The bay window has cross leaded upper window panes and plantation shutters, and overlooks the front gardens. The room has high ceilings with cornice detailing, lovely Victorian marble fireplace with cast iron open grate, patterned tiled inset and slate hearth, double panelled radiator and TV aerial point.
EN-SUITE DRESSING ROOM
Hand equipped and fitted with birch furniture, including pull-out drawer units, display shelving and hanging rail. There is a small window seat with shoe racks beneath, concealed radiator, side window with plantation shutters, spotlighting and fitted wall mirror which cleverly conceals the access through to the shower room.
SHOWER ROOM
With three piece suite comprising close coupled wc, wash hand basin, travertine marble floor, mosaic tiled walls with border detailing, fitted recesses, heated chrome towel rail and spotlighting to the ceiling. A glazed door leads to a shower recess with tiled surrounds to the walls, concealed lighting and shower unit with rainforest head.
BEDROOM TWO (front facing)
17’0 x 13’9 (5.177m x 4.205m)
A lovely light room with three windows with plantation shutters, two at the front and one at the side overlooking the gardens and adjacent property. The room has a beautiful marble Victorian fireplace with cast iron grate, patterned tiled insert and slate hearth, built-in double wardrobes to one side of the chimney breast with hanging rail and shelf storage space, double panelled radiator, TV aerial point, and high ceilings with cornicing.
EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM/WC
Comprising three piece suite with close coupled wc, pedestal wash hand basin with mono bloc tap and shower recess with glazed screen access door and rain forest head. The room has a window with half height plantation shutters, travertine marble tiles to the walls and floor, wall lighting, spotlighting, Expelair unit and heated chrome radiator.
BEDROOM THREE (rear facing)
13’10 x 13’5 (4.228m x 4.108)
This bedroom, currently used as a third dressing room by the current owners, has been fitted with a range of birch wood open wardrobes with hanging rail space with book shelving, display shelving and pull out drawer units, all of which can be removed if required. With two sash windows overlooking the rear gardens, Victorian marble fireplace with cast iron insert and slate hearth, cornice detailing, power points and a TV aerial point
FAMILY BATHROOM/WC
With luxurious four piece suite comprising contemporary free standing Victoria and Albert bath with side mounted chrome mono bloc tap and handheld shower attachment. Duravit pedestal wash hand basin with chrome fitting, close coupled wc and recess shower cubicle with rainforest shower head. The bathroom has travertine floor and wall tiles, side window, Explair unit, heated towel rail, spotlighting, wall lighting and built-in linen cupboard.
The first floor landing cleverly conceals beneath the painted wood panelling an access door which leads to a private staircase connecting to the second floor of the property. Underneath the stairs is a ‘kitchette’, which is ideal if the second floor is to be used for teenagers, guests or a working office.
KITCHETTE
With sink unit and storage cupboard beneath, built-in refrigerator, granite worktop, shelving, spotlighting and a small recess which would accommodate a microwave.
The stairs lead up to the second floor of the property, with tastefully designed wall recesses for display purposes, spotlighting, good natural lighting from the velux lighting in the roof pitch and access off to:
BEDROOM SIX (front & rear facing)
21’0 x 10’2 (6.4m x 3.1m)
The room has been designed within the roof space and has sloping T fall ceilings with painted roof timbers and two excellent access doors leading into the eaves for further storage space. There is a double panelled radiator, power points, TV aerial point, two Velux windows and spotlighting.
BEDROOM SEVEN (front & rear facing)
21’0 x 10’5 (6.4m x 3.175m)
The room has been designed within the roof space and has sloping T fall ceilings with painted roof timbers and two excellent access doors leading into the eaves for further storage space. There is a double panelled radiator, power points, TV aerial point, two Velux windows and spotlighting.
CLOAKROOM/WC
With close coupled wc, wash hand basin, spotlighting, beautiful tiling to the walls and floors, heated chrome towel rail and Velux window.
EXTERNALLY
To both the front and rear of the property the gardens have been extensively and professionally landscaped. To the front of the property street parking facilities are available, as well as panelled double doors leading to a pebbled driveway that connects to the attached garage. The front garden is set out with lawned areas, maturing trees and beautiful boxed hedging with pebbled pathways and floral borders. There are discreet external lights.
To the side of the main entrance hall there is a separate pedestrian gate access to a refuse area and a small courtyard connecting into the utility passageway.
The rear gardens are delightful and include a brick boundary wall and a beautiful stone patio terrace to the foreground of the house, which opens up from the kitchen and is ideal for morning sunshine. The neatly trimmed lawns complement the beautifully stocked flower and shrub borders which have spotlights fed into the borders. There is a stone rockery bed and large trees which give privacy to the site. An arched pedestrian access gate leads on to the rear lane, as well as separate patio terraces. The contemporary lighting complements the property. The rear garden enjoys a high degree of privacy and is not overlooked at all.
Pedestrian access is available to the rear of the garage.
GARAGE
19’11 x 9’9 (6.088m x 2.97m)
With double doors and pitched timber panelled roof, as well as power and lighting. Security lighting is provided to both the front and rear of the garage. The garage currently stores the working, recycling equipment and plumbing for the fish aquarium and underwater plant growth.
