From the street, it looks like an impressive Victorian home – charming, with plenty of kerb appeal. However, a quick peek at the back of 74 Oakfield Road, Selly Park, reveals something rather more striking.
Located within the sought-after Selly Park Estate, just over half a mile from the University of Birmingham campus, this six-bedroom semi-detached property with views over Bourn Brook and King Edward’s playing fields has an abundance of original features.
But it is the bespoke garden room, designed by renowned Birmingham architect Joe Holyoak, which has the wow factor.
Built in the 1860s, this well-maintained property with integral garage provides substantial living accommodation and has a separate coach house, large garden, triple cellar, and in-and-out driveway with enough room for four cars.
The hallway with guest cloakroom immediately shows that care has been taken to look after the original features, with the original Minton flooring, floral ceiling rose, cornice and archway.
To the left is the front-facing dining room, which has the original sash windows and sash shutters, and opposite is the lounge that also has the original sash windows and sash shutters, as well as two cast iron radiators, and feature fireplace with mosaic tiles and granite hearth.
From this cosy room, double doors lead to that grand garden room, which is fully glazed with glass apex and French doors that open out on to the rear garden.
It has a limestone tiled floor, underfloor heating, floor-mounted wood burner with exposed flame, exposed timber work and beams and part-vaulted ceiling.
From the garden room, you can walk through the Victorian walk-in larder pantry, still with the original fitted shelving and storage cupboards, to reach the tiled kitchen/breakfast room.
Here there is a range of buttermilk-colour wall and base units, brown and fleck granite work surface, Belfast sink, island into work unit, integrated fridge, freezer and dishwasher, five-ring gas range master double oven set into the chimney breast and sash window with original shutters.
Three of the bedrooms are on the first floor, off the landing with stained glass window and feature arch window to the front.
The main bedroom overlooks the front and has the original built-in storage unit, exposed wooden flooring, and double shower cubicle in the corner of the room.
The second and third bedrooms have en-suite shower rooms and a family bathroom is painted in muted blue/grey and has timber wall panelling, free standing roll-top bath, high level WC, wash hand basin, and exposed wooden flooring.
The second floor/attic houses two further bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a storage/laundry room.
Bedroom four has restricted head height, laminate flooring and a sky light to front elevation; there is a smaller room off, which is currently used as a sewing room. An en-suite bathroom has a corner shower cubicle, low level WC with storage cupboard, hand basin, and heated towel rail.
The fifth bedroom also has a sky light to the front and a double-glazed window to the rear. A bathroom has a P-shaped bath, low level WC with storage behind, hand basin and heated towel rail.
The original coach house at the rear of the house, which has been double-glazed, has been converted into additional living accommodation, complete with broadband connection, making it ideal for a student, older child, or as a letting.
The open-plan accommodation has a lounge and kitchen area with wall and base units, roll edge work surface, stainless steel sink drainer, plumbing for dishwasher and washing machine, electric cooker point with extractor hood over, space for fridge/freezer and wall-mounted gas boiler.
The first-floor landing has a fitted wardrobe and a door leading to the double bedroom. There’s also a bathroom with bath with shower over, low level WC, hand basin and heated towel rail.
Gardeners will appreciate the large landscaped gardens, which are a real feature of the home. From the garden room there is a blue brick patio and steps lead down to three shaped lawns. There are mature trees and well-stocked borders, an ornamental pond, raised vegetable beds, a greenhouse, potting shed, and summerhouse. It backs on to Bourn Brook and overlooks King Edward’s playing fields and cricket pitch.
Agent – Haart
Telephone – 0121 426 1876
Guide price – offers over £800,000
