Home is a real work of Art Deco

It went on the market and became Zoopla’s most popular property. Now, the Grade II-listed masterpiece has been renovated. Philip Dewey took a closer look

AN Art Deco-style home in Wales, which was once Zoopla’s most popular property, is back on the market having undergone a stunning transformation.

The Grade II-listed Shangri La, in Pontllanfraith, Blackwood, was bought at auction in April 2015 by Dayne and Julie Bartlett for £200,000.

The property was in need of major renovation but still more than 19,000 prospective buyers viewed it online before it was put up for auction.

Having bought their dream property, the couple began work straight away on returning the 1930s detached home to its former glory.

Despite setting a budget of £80,000 to do up the property, the renovation cost more in the region of £200,000.

Dayne said: “We thought [the house] was a steal really. We were told so many people wanted it and we thought we’d never have it.”

Three years after the project began, the renovation of Shangri La is complete and it is back on the market.

Speaking about the reason for selling up, 50-year-old Dayne, originally from Bournemouth, said: “We’re selling it for a life change. We’re not getting any younger and I want more free time. We’ve got the means there now to give us a better lifestyle.”

Julie, 59, from Penpedairheol, Caerphilly, added: “We want to go back to auction and buy cheap properties to do up and go into the property trade.

“I’ve been doing it all my life and we enjoy it.”

The property has an entrance hall, two reception rooms, a kitchen, four bedrooms (two with balconies) and two bathrooms, as well as a double garage. The new additions to the property include an outdoor heated swimming pool, a sauna room and cinema room.

Dayne said: “The council and Cadw are happy with it and think we have done a good job on it. There’s also my cinema room which overlooks the pool.

“Our thought was when we bought the house – if we couldn’t afford to do it up properly we wouldn’t have done it. It’s the only Art Deco house in Wales – it’s iconic.”

If you’re hoping to pick up the keys to this stylish home it’s going to cost you a cool £695,000.

■ If you want more information on Shangri La, contact Dayne Bartlett on 07779 574025 or info@toctrim.co.uk