Condover House (formerly Villa Marina)

Condover House, formerly Villa Marina, is a large house dating to the early 20th century, built with a distinctive nautical style. The exterior is rendered in smooth white over reinforced concrete, with brick banding and a flat roof concealed by a parapet and railings inspired by marine architecture. Large, rectangular chimneys are designed to resemble ship’s funnels. The house has been largely re-glazed, but some original metal windows remain. The main, road-facing elevation features a central, convex entrance bay that rises above the roofline as a drum with windows and brick banding. A canopy with fluted friezes shelters the ground floor entrance, which has a recessed porch containing a convex door with five glazed panels. Wings extend to the west and south at right angles to the entrance bay. The south wing incorporates a corner window projecting at first floor level, with windows set into a brick band. The west wing features a recessed first-floor balcony with ship’s rails (original glazing to the bedroom), a window to the left, and a circular window; a large lounge window is set back under the first floor, supported by square piers. The sea-facing elevation has deep, cantilevered canopies over both floors, following the line of a large, projecting semi-circular bay to the left, and a smaller, three-quarter engaged round bay to the right. A projecting chimney breast sits between the bays, and a balcony features ship’s rails and brick banding. Wood glazing is used on both floors of this elevation. A modern steel fire escape has been designed to be sympathetic to the nautical style. A service block, containing the kitchen, is located to the left, and the rear, east elevation of the south wing retains some original metal-framed windows. The flat roof is punctuated by very large rectangular chimneys, one of which incorporates an entry from the first-floor staircase.

The house retains a wealth of original high-quality detailing, including friezes, doors, door furniture, and light fittings. The entrance porch leads to a spectacular, circular, double-height entrance hall. The walls are fluted and finished in cream terrazzo with green skirtings and door surrounds, while the floor is laid with cream terrazzo segments with green banding. A staircase curves around the outer wall, partially supported by the porch, with chequered inlay and wave-moulded undersides. The stair has a steel rail with a chrome handrail, and a cantilevered landing includes a similar rail. Concealed lighting is provided by a wave-moulded coving at landing height. The west wing lounge has an art-deco cornice and frieze, along with some original light fittings, and an elaborate art-deco fireplace featuring banding in black and polychrome marble. A later partition separates this lounge from a circular dining room, which also has a wave-moulded coving concealing lighting, and an art-deco fireplace in banded polychrome marble. A small room, now used as a bar, lies between the dining room and kitchen; it retains original tiling. Rooms and bathrooms in the south wing showcase original vitrolite tiled walls and fittings. Wave friezes are preserved in first-floor rooms and corridors. A circular bedroom is located above the dining room, and a former bedroom sits over the lounge. The south wing includes several bedrooms (some of which have been divided), and a bathroom and toilet with original vitrolite glazed walls and fittings. A staircase leads to the roof.