The infamous mullet hairstyle of the 80s and 90s was, due to its contrasting looks combined in one style, described as being all “business in the front, party in the back”.
It is a phrase that springs to mind when looking at The Lodge in Frederick Road, Edgbaston.
For at the front this beautiful Regency residence is seriously elegant. It has a timeless quality and a hint of formality about it with its columned Portico entrance porch.
Behind the house though is where the party begins. A dramatic single storey extension has been added which provides a fantastic open-plan kitchen, dining and living space with bi-folding doors that open it to the garden. It is ideal for relaxing with the family or entertaining friends.
There is even an external kitchen so that on hot summer nights the folding doors can be thrown open for the ultimate barbeque party.
And the fun doesn’t stop there. A gym, games room and snooker room all offer their own pleasurable distractions.
The Grade II listed Lodge dates back to the early 1800s. It is discreetly tucked away in an exclusive cul de sac.
Purchased by the present owners in 2006, they embarked upon a five year project to extensively refurbish, reconfigure and add to the accommodation to make it work for modern family life.
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The result is a house that marries contemporary luxury with handsome Georgian architecture.
State of the art technology has been discreetly installed behind the walls, below the floors, and above the ceilings to enhance functionality.
Cat 6 cabling runs throughout and there are integrated speakers in the majority of the rooms. A 5.1 surround sound system has been installed in the open-plan living area off the kitchen. There is also a comprehensive CCTV system.
Each room can access seven different media sources including multiple Sky TV boxes, Apple TV, X-Box / Playstation, and “Sonos” music system.
Accessible via a smartphone, tablet or PC, the CCTV and lights and security gates can be monitored by the owner from anywhere in the world.
Electronically controlled cast iron gates lead from Frederick Road to the long grey-stoned driveway which has manicured hedgerows and shrubberies on either side. This opens out into an expansive parking area in front of the house.
Timber gates conceal a hard-standing car wash/storage area. To the right are two garages.
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Double front doors open into a reception hall where the decorative cornicing and ceiling rose are a reminder of the Georgian origins of The Lodge.
An attractive staircase rises to the first floor while an open staircase with glazed dividing screen provides a welcoming approach to the basement. A guest cloakroom is fitted with Neville Johnson bespoke furniture offering storage. There is a separate toilet with contemporary suite.
The three main reception rooms are presently used as a study, dining room and drawing room.
The study has painted fitted furniture to one wall with large storage cupboards, book and display shelves. Matching fitted furniture to the opposite wall includes a desk and filing drawers.
In the formal dining room two full height sash windows to the back lift up to provide access to the garden.
There are two full height sash windows at the back of the drawing room as well as an elegant marble fireplace with cast iron insert and marble hearth. Either side of the chimney breast are arched recesses with fitted shelving.
At almost 1,000 sq ft and spanning some 36 feet in width, the open plan kitchen/dining/living room is the most impressive room of this house. Almost the entire width of the rear elevation is one huge span of bi-folding doors which, when retracted, provide an uninterrupted opening to the garden.
The combination of high pitched ceilings with 16 Velux rooflights together with two sash windows to the front combine to make this a wonderfully light space.
The limestone tiled flooring continues through from the reception hall with under-floor heating.
The kitchen has been hand made by Smallbone of Devizes. Walnut units with contrasting silver handles and black granite work-surfaces provide a generous amount of storage and preparation space. A large central island unit also serves as a sociable breakfast bar.
Miele integrated appliance include a coffee machine, twin ovens, two warming drawers, microwave, induction hob, wine fridge and dishwasher. There is space for an American style fridge freezer.
Off the kitchen area is a utility fitted with matching Smallbone units with granite work-tops.
The basement is divided into four main rooms plus a wine cellar and additional storage/utility space. There is currently an air conditioned gymnasium with rubber coated flooring and external access with steps leading up to the side of the house, a dedicated games room, snooker room, and an office/music room.
One of the store rooms has plumbing in place for conversion to a shower room and toilet while the wine cellar could easily be turned into a galley kitchen enabling the basement to be used as a self-contained apartment if required.
On the two upper floors there are four bedroom suites.
The master incorporates two double bedrooms and spans the full width of the back of the main house. It has a large bedroom area, a fully fitted dressing room and private bathroom with Travertine floor tiling and under-floor heating, free-standing double ended bath, walk-in shower enclosure, basin and toilet.
Bedrooms two and three are both doubles with fully tiled en suites, each with electric underfloor heating, bath with integrated shower, toilet and basin.
Bedroom four is located on the second floor and is ideal for guests. It is a large ‘L’ shaped room with seating/dressing area as well as space for a large double bed. The en suite has a walk-in shower, toilet and basin. Also on the second floor there is extensive eaves storage.
The back garden has been beautifully landscaped. A large area of decking immediately outside the bi-fold doors steps down to a further decked seating area next to the external kitchen. This has a built-in mains gas Beefeater grill, Fire Magic wok burner, double hob, electric warming drawer, drinks unit and wash basin, granite bar and work-tops.
The centre section of the garden has a lawn surrounded by borders. A couple of steps lead to a large paved seating area with pergolas over. Further steps lead down through a rockery to the lower section of garden with a large level lawn suitable for ball games and children’s play.
High walls to either side, and mature conifers to the southern boundary ensure privacy and security.
Frederick Road is a quiet and exclusive cul-de-sac in the heart of Edgbaston, close to Five Ways and within easy reach of Birmingham City Centre. Five Ways railway station is less than half a mile away.
VIEWING INFORMATION
AGENT: Robert Powell/Fine&Country
TEL: 0121 4546930 / 0121 7466400
WEB: www.robertpowell.co.uk www.fineandcountry.co.uk
GUIDE PRICE: £2,300,000