Property description
PROPERTY SUMMARY 'Hall Place' is an imposing symmetrical Georgian Villa which sits proudly back from the road in a conservation area within the heart of the market town of Havant. Planning has been granted for the change of use from the existing offices to form two dwellings of this former Manor House. Purchased by the existing owners in 1979 they undertook the refurbishment to sympathetically restore the interior detailing whilst minimising any necessary modern rebuilding and alterations. On completion of the work now required to create two special homes, the new owner will have a four bedroom, four reception areas, family home with a two bedroom, two living rooms and two bathroom annexe. The property was granted Grade II listing status in 1975 but the origins of the main house date back to 1770 and remained in the 'Longcroft' family for over 200 years as the Manor House of Havant. No longer suited for a modern office environment it was felt the change of use to form a large four bedroom villa and two bedroom annexe would be the best option in order to retain its integrity and architectural character. Being sold in its current layout and format gives the potential buyer the opportunity to make their own mark on this historic building and to refurbish it to their own taste without affecting the existing infrastructure too much. Having good rail and road link to London (approx. 1 hour 20 mins) and the South Coast major cities, early viewing is strongly recommended in order to appreciate the internal accommodation, location and potential on offer.
ENTRANCE Twin pillared brick and flint entrance and exit with low wall and coping stones over, leading to crescent shaped driveway to front of property with lawned garden areas, mature shrubs, holly bush, evergreens and bushes, shingled driveway leading to rear of the property, steps leading to:
PILLARED ENTRANCE Flagstone flooring, large double sized doorway with feature arch over, leading to:
HALLWAY 36' 5" x 12' 0" increasing to 14'5" (11.1m x 3.66m) Approximate ceiling height of 10'10". Feature balustrade with easy rise staircase leading to galleried landing over with feature arched window to rear aspect, power points, two radiators, feature archway with light, doors to primary rooms, alarm panel, arched area leading to reception with wooden built desk and reception area.
SITTING ROOM 19' 5" x 16' 10" (5.92m x 5.13m) Measurements into feature bay window with large curved sash style windows and shutters with wooden panels under, high ceiling with coving, radiator, high skirting boards, dado rail, power points, double radiator, granite surround fireplace with living flame log effect gas fire (not tested), large sash style window to front aspect with shutters, panelled door.
DINING ROOM 15' 9" x 13' 9" (4.8m x 4.19m) Feature large sash style windows to front aspect with shutters, two radiators, dado rail, high ceiling with coving, panelled door to hallway, granite surround fireplace with living flame coal effect gas fire (not tested), built-in shelving to either side with low level storage cupboards, panelled door to hallway, power points.
DRAWING ROOM 24' 8" x 19' 0" (7.52m x 5.79m) Measurements into bay window. Feature bay window with twin large curved sash windows to side aspect with shutters and wooden panelling under, two radiators, power points, high ceiling with cornicing and coving, marble surround fireplace with living flame coal effect gas fire (not tested), panelled door to hallway, to one wall are large glass fronted library style shelving and storage.
KITCHEN 14' 4" x 9' 6" (4.37m x 2.9m) Window to rear aspect overlooking garden, range of matching wall and floor units with work surface over, inset double bowl sink unit with drainer to one side and mixer tap, range of storage cupboards and drawers, vinyl tile flooring, inset electric hob with extractor hood, fan and light over, oven and grill, fridge and freezer with storage cupboards over and under, radiator, high ceiling with beams, spotlights, free standing 'Potterton Kingfisher' boiler supplying domestic hot water and central heating with timer switch (not tested), power points.
ORANGERY / CONSERVATORY 26' 0" x 12' 8" (7.92m x 3.86m) Pitched security glass roof, tiled flooring, double radiator, low level windows with glazed panels over, overlooking rear garden with twin double doors leading to outside, door to:
CLOAKROOM Wash hand basin with tiled splash back, window to side aspect, low level w.c.
SEPARATE ANNEXE Accessed via square opening leading from primary hallway to inner lobby, door to front aspect providing separate access, gas meter, double radiator, door to basement/cellar, door to:
SITTING ROOM 19' 3" x 14' 9" (5.87m x 4.5m) Sash style window to front aspect with remote control shutter, power points, double radiator, fluorescent tube lighting, twin doors with remote control shutters leading to rear garden, second radiator, door to walk-in storage cupboard with shelving, 'Potterton' boiler and pump system (not tested), door to:
FAMILY ROOM 19' 4" x 11' 7" (5.89m x 3.53m) Window to rear aspect with remote control shutter, window to front with matching shutter, double radiator, power points, door to:
STORE ROOM 1 12' 0" x 7' 0" (3.66m x 2.13m) Window to front aspect, panelled heater, slight pitched roof to ceiling, ceiling spotlights, square opening leading to:
STORE ROOM 2 8' 9" x 7' 0" (2.67m x 2.13m) Window to rear aspect, slight pitched ceiling, outer lobby with door to front, flagstone flooring, doorway to:
STORE ROOM 3 12' 0" x 5' 4" (3.66m x 1.63m) Window to side aspect
FIRST FLOOR Mezzanine landing, feature arch window to rear aspect, staircase rising to main landing, door to:
CLOAKROOM With w.c.
MAIN LANDING Main landing, curved balustrade overlooking hallway, security fire doors, leading to two internal landings with doors to primary rooms, radiator.
BEDROOM 1 19' 1" x 17' 9" (5.82m x 5.41m) Measurements into feature large bow bay window to side aspect with curved sash style windows and panelling under, ceiling coving, surround fireplace with living flame coal effect gas fire (not tested), built-in storage cupboard to one side, two double radiators, power points, panelled door.
BEDROOM 5 / STORE 10' 9" x 6' 9" (3.28m x 2.06m) Sash style window to rear aspect, radiator, power points, panelled door.
BEDROOM 3 20' 1" x 17' 8" maximum (6.12m x 5.38m) Twin sash style windows to front aspect, high ceiling with coving, three radiators, door to
BEDROOM 2 17' 1" x 15' 10" (5.21m x 4.83m) Feature bow bay window to side aspect with curved sash style window and panelling under, three radiators, sash style window to front aspect, surround fireplace with granite inlay, living flame log effect gas fire (not tested), built-in storage cupboard to one side, high level cupboard over, power points.
BEDROOM 4 15' 8" x 14' 0" (4.78m x 4.27m) Sash style window to front aspect, two radiators, dado rail, power points, built-in storage cupboard to one side of chimney breast, ceiling coving, door to hallway/landing.
BOILER ROOM Immersion tank (not tested) and shelving.
BATHROOM 10' 5" x 10' 0" (3.18m x 3.05m) Corner shower cubicle, heated towel rail, low level w.c, pedestal wash hand basin with mirrored splashback, shaver point, sash style window to rear aspect, double radiator, panelled door.
ANNEXE WING Opening leading to:
STUDIO 31' 3" x 19' 3" (9.53m x 5.87m) Vaulted roof measuring approximately 12'5" in height, high level security glass windows with supporting rods, twin sash style windows to rear aspect, four double radiators, power points, door to:
WALK IN STORE ROOM 11' 1" x 6' 0" (3.38m x 1.83m) Vinyl flooring, low level storage cupboard, fluorescent tube lighting.
BASEMENT / CELLAR 20' 0" x 15' 0" (6.1m x 4.57m) Maximum ceiling height of 6'4", metal door leading to:
VAULT 20' 0" x 5' 10" (6.1m x 1.78m) Ceiling height of 6'1" Range of built-in shelving, lighting.
OUTSIDE Dwarf brick wall with coping stones over, pillared brick and flint entrance leading to crescent style driveway with lawned area to one side and further driveway leading to left hand side of the property, mature hedges, trees and bushes, second entrance/exit, stone steps leading to covered porch. To the right hand side of the property is a paved area with brick retaining wall and access to the annexe, shingled driveway with fence panelling to one side and a lawn to the other with a mature tree, the driveway leads to the rear of the property which is enclosed by fence panelling with turning area and parking for numerous cars, patio area leading to Orangery / Sun Lounge, fire escape staircase rising to first floor studio, mature trees, evergreens and bushes.
OWNERS COMMENTS Hall Place was purchased in 1979 by Roy Roberts of the Owen Group to serve as the new group head office. Roy takes up the story: '' after ten years building a successful international marketing agency based in Havant, Hampshire, we purchased Hall Place as a prestige head office location. The building was in considerable disrepair when we bought it so we embarked on a restoration project lasting over eighteen months to return the former Manor House of Havant to it's original glory after the 200 years ownership by the historically important Longcroft family, who have a well documented 500 year history in the local area.
The restoration costs exceeded twice the purchase price because we re-constructed all the necessary infrastructure as well as the diligent restoration of the period interior detailing such as mouldings and the classic sweeping staircase. We made a few reversable interior changes to help configure the house as offices but our objective was to return the whole building to its original condition. The linked cottage had to be rebuilt from the first floor level.
In the 1980's the digital age was hard to imagine but although Hall Place has now been wired to keep up with the demands of the internet, The Owen Group is now a digital marketing agency and needs to move to a more compatable environment''.
Roy continues ''It will be sad to move from our business home which has helped our enterprise over a 35 year period, but we can re-invest the proceeds from Hall Place in a bespoke digital business environment and further invest in the software, equipment and skilled people that we need to move our business forward. Hall place will make a dramatic and impressive family home once again''