Jack House, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Built in 1965, this fine three/four bedroom mid-century house lies in the heart of the Old Portsmouth conservation area. Original teak and pine panelling, painted exposed brick, and glass shape the interiors, which include a serene sitting room with a library corner and doors to a private balcony. At the front is a space with a large full-width window that has previously been used as a gallery. A large courtyard garden lies to the rear, while the sea front is just a few minutes’ walk away.



The Tour



This house sits on the corner of a cobbled side street, its entrance defined by steel-framed glazing. In the entrance hall, the walls and ceiling are clad in warm teak and pine panelling, while a steel and mahogany staircase ascends to the main living spaces on the first floor.



To one side is a bright living room with sliding doors onto a west-facing balcony. Its ceiling is partly panelled in teak, and floor-to-ceiling fitted bookshelves delineate a library corner. A partly glazed internal sitting room is adjacent, with sliding doors onto the balcony. In the kitchen and dining area, white cabinetry is topped with oak work surfaces, and original patterned Alan Wallwork tiling adorns the wall.



Three bedrooms are found on the second floor. The principal has painted exposed brickwork and timber panelling. Sliding doors open onto a private balcony with rooftop views. There is an en suite bathroom with yellow and white chequerboard flooring.



There are two further bedrooms, one with original fitted wardrobes and views of the Spinnaker Tower. An additional room is currently used as a dressing room, but could serve as a fourth bedroom. A shared bathroom has a bath and an overhead shower. In the hallway, a rooflight provides access to the roof, where planning permission has previously been granted for a roof terrace (now lapsed).



On the ground floor, a versatile space at the front of the house has previously been used as the architect's office. An expansive window extends across the wall at the front, while internal glazing to the rear divides it from the entrance hall. There is also a utility room on this floor, as well as a large garage and a shower room with a wall of glass bricks.



Outdoor Space



To the rear of the house lies a pretty courtyard garden. Concrete planters line its perimeters, filled with pyracanthas, yuccas and japonicas, and there is plenty of space for outdoor dining.



Balconies on the first and second floors provide further opportunities for sitting out.



The Area



Jack House is positioned in the heart of Old Portsmouth Conservation Area, just minutes away from some of the city’s best restaurants, pubs and cafes. Local favourites include Smoke and Mirrors for fine dining, The Still and West Pub for views of the harbour, Monks Oyster Bar and The Canteen located in the sea wall.



The sea wall is a five-minute walk from the house, with access to the peaceful Hotwalls Beach and The Hotwalls Studios. The 17th-century Portsmouth Cathedral is also close by, while the green expanses of Southsea Common are only slightly further afield.



The Ravelin Sports Centre is less than a five-minute walk away, and has a gym, a 25-metre swimming pool, squash courts and a community orchard.



The Historic Quarter at Portsmouth Dockyard is a 19-minute walk and shopping at Gunwharf Quays is only ten minutes away.



There are several excellent schooling options in the area, including St Jude's Primary, St Edmund’s Catholic Secondary, and Portsmouth Grammar School.



Portsmouth & Southsea rail station is a 15-minute walk from the house and Portsmouth Harbour a 10-minute walk, with regular services to London Waterloo in approximately an hour and 36 minutes. For international travel, Southampton Airport is around 30 minutes’ drive away.



Council Tax Band: F