Mid-century makeovers come of age

Homes of the 1960s and 1970s can reveal their own charms, with a little help, says Kirsty Mcluckie

While there are undoubtedly some gems of architecture from the 1960s and 1970s, the era has always been considered a rather unlovely one in terms of mass housebuilding.

As a house-buying nation, we revere Georgian and Victorian properties, have a huge affection for the practical family houses and bungalows which sprang up in city suburbs during the interwar years and covet contemporary houses with sleek lines and modern technology.

But homes built 40 to 50 years ago are currently somewhat out of fashion.

Houses dating from the 1960s or 1970s tend not to create a stir when they come on the market. Their styling is less pleasing to the eye, while their building methods aren’t highly prized.

But buying a 50-year-old property has its own advantages, according to Alastair Houlden of Rettie & Co.

He says:“one of the best things of homes of that era is the plot size, in comparison to modern homes.

“They tend to be much larger, whereas modern homes seem to have shrunk both the plot size and the interior proportions.”

For a project, he points out that 1960s and 1970s homes can be a good buy in terms of value for money and are relatively easy to update.

“The typical property might have a rough cast exterior and a concrete tiled roof, but as long as the building is sound these are relatively easy to replace with a smooth render and updated tiles.

“You would probably want to update aluminium window frames, but again that is relatively straightforward.”

One of the most impressive upgrades of a 1970s home is 4 Balmoral Court which is set in the grounds of Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire overlooking the first hole of the Queen’s Course.

Emmanuel Triceri’s family has owned the property since the 1980s, but it has undergone a complete upgrading and remodelling project in the last few years.

He says: “The house was outdated but I loved the style of it, especially the design. I thought it was unique.

“I chose to keep it that way because I thought it was really interesting but I also wanted to update it to a more contemporary style.”

Similar properties in the location have been demolished and new buildings built in their place, but Triceri wanted to keep the originality and uniqueness of the house while updating it for a new century.

Removing partitions and an area of cabinets in the living room opened up the main space, making the house brighter and much more fluid.

The work also created a solid wood fuel tunnel visible from both sides, the master bedroom gained French windows and the kitchen the kitchen was opened up becoming much more of a family room.

The roof terrace was overhauled and the insulation throughout the house was brought up to modern standards.

The location of Balmoral Court, at a premier golf spot, means that such extensive work was worth doing, but more modest houses dating from the era have their charms.

No 4 Westerdunes Park is a fivebedroomed property in East Lothian with sea views. The interior has been updated but there are similar homes on the road which have been completely remodelled.

Grimmstane in Forneth near Blairgowrie in Perthshire retains its 1960s’ charm in a beautiful elevated plot.

The house was outdated but I loved the style of it, especially the design