THERE are only half a dozen large detached houses in Chorltonville and this is one of them.
It was once used as an unofficial German consulate and Aidan said: “We know the house had been owned by German Jesuits in the 1960s."
It was originally the home of Thomas Whiteley, the man responsible for actually building the ‘perfect garden village’ as conceived by local businessman James Herbert Dawson and William John Vowles in 1910.
The house is on South Drive and Whiteley lived here with his family while Dawson and Vowles lived further round on the horseshoe sweep of the road.
Current owners Aidan and Shirley Carr bought the house 20 years ago after hearing through the schoolgates’ grapevine that it was coming up for sale and it could be the first time in its history that it has been on the open market.
St Michaels
It was once used as an unofficial German consulate and Aidan said: “We know the house had been owned by German Jesuits in the 1960s and at one time was a social focus for the German community who held their christenings, weddings and other celebrations there.
“The lady we bought the house from, Thilde Chalfont, showed us pictures of the various events with Oompah bands and told us the surgeon who treated Sir Matt Busby following the Munich disaster once stayed here. The German ambassador also came to the house to present Thilde with the Order of Merit for her work with the German community.
“We also understand that the Swann family, piano dealers, also lived here for some time. It would be nice to find out about its earlier history. Did it pass down through Whiteley’s family?“
Built in 1911 and conceived to provide 'beautiful, healthy, conveniently planned homes with plenty of light and an abundance of fresh air' all the houses in Chorltonville had both gas and electricity which was unusual for the era and equal thought was given to outside space and communal areas.
This house, known as St Michaels is on the market with a guide price of £950,000 through House Network 0845 199 1000
St Michael's
If you like the idea of Chorltonville but have a smaller budget Gascoigne Halman have a semi for sale further down South Drive which has probably not changed much in a century. Which would give you scope to incorporate many of Kit Knowles’ technologies to make it super efficient.
South DriveThere are no pictures of the inside but the state of the 65ft long back garden probably gives you a clue.
It is on the market for £320,000.
