The Old House At Home

The Old House at Home is a house that was later converted into a public house. Built around 1935 in the Moderne style, it was transformed into a public house around 1945, with the addition of two bars at ground floor level that match the original design. The building is constructed of concrete and features a flat roof with two concrete chimneystacks on the south wall. It has two storeys and three windows on each side, with metal-framed casements that include horizontal glazing bars.

The south front showcases three wide metal-framed casements on the first floor, end chimneystacks, and a projecting ground floor bar extension with a flat roof and metal railings. This extension has two large metal-framed casements with rounded ends, horizontal glazing, and fluted pilasters, along with additional metal-framed windows and a central wide doorcase that features a bolection-moulded architrave and double doors. The east elevation includes narrow metal-framed casements on the first floor and a curved bar entrance with a flat hood, flanked by metal-framed sidelights, steps, and a section of curved balustrading. There are further metal-framed windows on the one-storey bar to the northeast.

Inside, both bars feature circular 1940s bar fittings with leaded lights at the top and a wooden counter with a plinth. The bars also contain original brick fireplaces of traditional design. There is a mosaic-lined swimming pool, now filled with rubble and boarded over, reported to be located under the rear bar area.

Originally, the building was constructed as a private house for a Canadian millionaire who never occupied it. During the Second World War, it was requisitioned for Civil Defence purposes due to its extensive view over the City of Portsmouth, allowing fire bombs to be spotted over a wide area. In approximately 1945, it became a public house, adopting the name and license of a previously existing public house near the Marlborough Gate of the Royal Naval Dockyard, which had been demolished. It is believed to be the only Moderne style public house in Portsmouth.