A story circulating last week suggested actor Samuel L Jackson was looking for a pad in Birmingham. Jayne Howarth looks at some homes fit for a Hollywood star...
For a moment – just a fleeting moment – this week, Brummies were excited by the news that Samuel L Jackson could be moving to the area.
Turns out – surprise! – it was a hoax. Of course, it’s a shame; who wouldn’t want to have one of the coolest actors on the planet living here in the West Midlands?
While our Hollywood and California may lack the glitz and glamour of our Stateside cousins, we know there’s much to attract the Pulp Fiction actor from his existing two homes in San Fernando Valley and New York City.
As an enthusiastic golfer (he has a clause in his contracts to ensure he has time off to play), he could take his clubs to the Belfry and practise his swing at the world-class courses; there are plenty of vegetarian restaurants in which he can dine; and as an accomplished French horn and trumpet player, he could fuel his love of music at Symphony Hall.
And we could even match his Hollywood Walk of Fame star with a Broad Street star.
Even if the Jackie Brown star isn’t planning to up sticks and move to the West Midlands, there are plenty of properties on the market around here that are more than fit for a man of the movies. Here are four properties on the market where we think Samuel L Jackson could lay his (Kangol) hat.
Hartington House, Little Aston Park Road, Sutton Coldfield
Most Read
This detached executive property set is at the end of a private gated driveway would barely dent his $170million-plus net worth.
There are lovely views over open fields to the front, a private rear garden and a detached triple car garage – perhaps not enough for his fleet of cars.
Hartington House is one of three properties within this exclusive development and sits on a large corner plot.
It has a large reception hall with solid oak flooring, spacious breakfast kitchen with granite worktops and integrated appliances, a family area with double patio doors and access into the separate utility room.
The ground floor also accommodates the study with fitted work station and views over the open fields, the dining room, the main lounge with floor to ceiling windows, and drawing room with feature fireplace and patio doors leading out to the rear garden. Climb the grand staircase to reach the five double bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and dressing rooms. Altogether, it sits in 0.4 acres.
Hartington House has a guide price of £1,950,000 and is being sold by agents Paul Carr Rural and Exclusive Homes
West Hillborough Farm, Alcester, Warwickshire
Don’t miss
Perfect for any megastar that wants to avoid the long lens of the paparazzi, this stunning period property sits in 49 acres and features a cinema room – ideal for when he wants to watch his back catalogue of films.
The main house is a spacious 10, 787 sq ft and features a large, light triple aspect drawing room, a spacious kitchen/breakfast room and a number of reception rooms.
Perfect for an Anglophile such as Jackson, the kitchen has an Aga, a combination of stone and wood worktops with a central island, and a pitched and glazed breakfast room with a log burner. French doors lead to the terrace where there are spectacular views over the pond and the River Avon.
He could store his vast collection of hats and spectacles in the master bedroom suite, and even in the four further bedroom suites. If he runs out of room, there are two further bedrooms.
To the rear of the house is a courtyard with outbuildings that offer accommodation, a gym, study and a two-storey barn, plus a spacious two-bedroom staff/guest cottage.
Crucially, for this golf-loving actor, there is access to a golf course, too. And as it’s just a few miles from Stratford-upon-Avon, he’s close to the RSC.
West Hillborough Farm has a guide price of £4,000,000 and is being sold by agents Knight Frank.
Park Corner House, Knowle
A large country house (3,144 sq ft) just off the main road into Knowle and Dorridge, this is an immaculate property decorated in cool, tranquil colours – just what you need after a day’s filming the latest action movie.
Sitting in seven acres of low maintenance gardens, this five-bedroom, three-bathroom home is close to Solihull and Knowle, and he could be at Birmingham International Airport in just a few minutes if he needs a direct flight back to the USA.
The house is made for comfortable, relaxed living. The ground floor has a large, open plan living space that combines kitchen – complete with four-oven Aga – hand-made wood cabinets and beech worktops; a dining space and sitting area. French doors open out to the south facing garden.
There are two further reception rooms – the drawing room and the living room are both light and spacious and each has a fireplace, plus large windows that look out to the gardens.
Upstairs there are five double bedrooms, two en suite bathrooms and a family bathroom.
Outside, you’ll find natural ponds filled with carp and rudd, lawns, kitchen gardens with raised beds, orchards with old apple, pear and plum trees, stabling for two horses plus tack room and feed store, and patios.
A garage block has separate bays for three cars, while above there is a space that could easily be turned into a cinema room.
Another building at the rear of the property is currently used as a workshop but could be developed into a separate annexe.
Park Corner House has a guide price of £1, 695,000 and is being sold by agents Mr & Mrs Clarke.
Kenwood, Bracebridge Road, Sutton Coldfield
Talk about the movies – this Grade II-listed house was designed in 1927 by Birmingham architect H W Weedon, who is best known for overseeing the Art Deco designs of the Odeon Cinemas.
You could even imagine a Hollywood starlet such as Lauren Bacall arriving here in style because the driveway and approach to this handsome six-bedroom, three-storey home is long and sweeping with a turning circle at the centre of which is a fountain.
Go through the oak front door and you are greeted by a substantial home that includes many original features, including cornicing, fireplace and wood-panelling in the reception rooms, plus ceiling beams.
Spacious at 5,953 sqft, it boasts three main reception rooms and a study. The formal drawing room has painted ceiling with intricate mouldings and cornicing, while the equally impressive dining room is fully panelled in pine and has a feature fireplace with marble and carved surround.
The kitchen is fitted with oak units, island with breakfast bar, and granite work surfaces, and has built-in appliances.
The main oak staircase to the first floor leads to a spacious landing, off which is the master suite with built-in wardrobes, a separate dressing room and an en-suite bathroom. You’ll also find a further four bedrooms and a family bathroom.
There is also a small two-bedroom cottage in the landscaped gardens, which is ideal should Samuel want to invite any Hollywood guests.
Kenwood has a guide price of £2,900,000 and is being sold by agents Aston Knowles.