Location
In a city next to Nantes, on the southern bank of the Loire River, the property is located in a reputable neighbourhood, comprised of elegant bourgeois homes with rooftop terraces erected by ship-owners from Nantes. Today both lively and metropolitan, the neighbourhood is easily accessible via public transportation, making it possible to reach downtown Nantes in 20 minutes. In addition, the closest beaches on the Atlantic Coast are 45 minutes away, while, all around, local vineyards provide plenty of opportunities for wine tourism-based excursions.
Description
The Dwelling
With masonry exteriors coated in white plaster, the house's eastern, street-side façade is cadenced by a flight of ten stone front steps, while its northern and western sides are flat and punctuated by windows in variety of sizes. In addition, its southern side, exemplary of the Art Deco style, is composed of three rows of vertical windows as well as a porch forepart supported by two columns. Safeguarded by wooden, partly louvred shutters, glass double doors on the top floor open onto balconies with artisanal wrought-iron guardrails.
This house with approximately 240 m² is spread out over a garden level and a raised ground floor. With the popularisation of the automobile, the overall plan for houses from this architectural period was shaken up with the unprecedented inclusion of garages, resulting, in this case, for the living area to be moved to the upper floor in order to leave room for vehicles on the lower level.
The ground floor
Designed in the Haussmannian style, the villa’s builder clearly intended to pay homage to his Parisian flat by reproducing it here. The large, arched front door, made out of iron and glass, opens onto a foyer with a travertine stone floor, which then leads to a hallway with a narrow plank oak floor and brown ochre painted walls that gracefully contrast with its white rectangular-moulded wainscoting. On one side, the living area include a dining room and an adjacent sitting room for a total of almost 40 m², the décor of which has been carefully conserved, such as mitred herringbone hardwood floors, wainscoting or floor-to-ceiling wood panelling, a white marble fireplace topped with a mirrored chimneybreast as well as finely-crafted friezes, crown moulding, cornices and ceiling roses. With white walls and ceilings that highlight the rooms’ overall luminosity, the sculpted plasterworks in this space create a décor composed of geometrical motifs, fruit garlands and flowers as well as mythological scenes, while wide, large-paned glass doors face south and provide exceptional views of the ornamental garden. On the other side of the hallway, a fitted kitchen communicates with another eating area with laminate flooring meant to resemble light oak hardwood and a skylight that provides overhead light, while two large picture windows look out onto the street. Behind this room, are two richly decorated bedrooms, the Haussmannian cachet of which is once again visible: original wood panelling, decorative moulding, fireplaces topped with moulded mirrors and mitred herringbone hardwood floors. In addition, the southern-facing bedroom, decorated with original wall fabric, has glass double doors that open onto a balcony overlooking the garden. Lastly, behind a lacquered door with painted décor, a shower room is shared between the two bedrooms, while its mosaics and black marble tiles on the walls and floor contrast nicely with its white washbasin atop the red lacquered vanity cabinet.
The garden-level floor
Initially reserved for the house’s technical rooms, this level was transformed into independent accommodations. Accessible via a staircase bathed in light thanks to colourful glass bricks, it includes a living room with laundry area, kitchen and dining area, two bedrooms, (11 and 22 m², respectively), a shower room and separate lavatory. The rest of the level is composed of a 17-m² garage, a furnace room, a recent condensing furnace and a cellar.
The Garden
Enclosed by walls and sheltered from view, the garden extends to the east and south of the dwelling over nearly 900 m². On the street side, a variety of different trees, including a magnolia, border the house’s front façade, while a shady patio makes it possible to enjoy al fresco dining and an original ornamental stone pond provides a touch of sophistication to the whole. Lastly, a garden shed hidden in the back provides an area to store garden tools and equipment.
Our opinion
Meticulously renovated, this emblematic villa from the 1930s, with its original and refined décor deftly combines both the Haussmannian and Art Deco styles. Concealed behind tall stone walls, the dwelling includes open, luminous spaces, while its significant volumes and tasteful living areas are decorated with remarkably conserved original features. Only a few minutes from Nantes and close to shops, schools and services, the dwelling would be perfect for a family, while the independent flat on the garden level is a promising and considerable asset.
927 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 961627
Land registry surface area | 867 m2 |
Main building surface area | 240 m2 |
Number of bedrooms | 4 |
NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.