Thursday, January 9, 2025

Historic house with ‘visionary’ high-heel shoe bath on sale for £875k

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A home in Wales that is hundreds of years old has gone on the market – and it comes with one very surprising feature.

The Grade-II* listed pre-Georgian property in Conwy, north Wales, has an asking price of £875,000 but potential buyers should be aware that the interior does not quite have the same period feel as its exterior.

While there are still some throwbacks to its 16th century roots – including beams and a traditional fireplace – the home has been transformed into one with a lot of modern, even outlandish, character.

Perhaps the biggest talking point is a bathtub in the shape of a high-heeled shoe, featuring coloured tiles ranging from light pink to dark plum. The bath also has several shades of a rose-pink bow on the back and along the sides of the shiny shoe, while a white sink shaped like a tea mug sits alongside it.

The bathtub is in the shape of a high-heeled shoe. (SWNS)

The bathtub is in the shape of a high-heeled shoe. (SWNS)

The 16th century property is situated within the walled section of the town and is one of only two known medieval buildings within the Town Walls, according to the listing.

The four-bedroom and three-bathroom property, available via estate agents Dafydd Hardy, is described as “most fascinating and intriguing”. They state that the original building of the single storey house was dated to the winter of 1441-42, “retaining its overall 16th century form”. However, it was altered in the 18th century and then again between 2008 and 2015.

The sink inside the bathroom is not a typical shape. (SWNS)The sink inside the bathroom is not a typical shape. (SWNS)

The sink inside the bathroom is not a typical shape. (SWNS)

Dafydd Hardy stated on their website: “The present owner who oversaw the undoubtedly mammoth task, had an unswerving vision and an obvious love of historic buildings and their heritage.”

It added: “The renovation displays a highly individual and visionary taste in certain quarters, extravagant in some respects, yet purposely made to create a home that’s not short on flair, glamour and presence.

“The attention to detail and its general presentation is quite remarkable.”

The home still retains its period features. (SWNS)The home still retains its period features. (SWNS)

The home still retains its period features. (SWNS)

A mixture of the historic and the modern are featured inside the £875,000 home. (SWNS)A mixture of the historic and the modern are featured inside the £875,000 home. (SWNS)

A mixture of the historic and the modern are featured inside the £875,000 home. (SWNS)

When evaluators estimate the value of a property, several key features play a significant role in determining the price.

Location remains the most influential factor, with homes in highly sought-after areas such as London, the south east, and popular commuter zones often comign with higher price tags.

According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics, the average house price in London in October 2024 was £526,000 – compared to the national average of £276,000.

In terms of the property itself, size and layout are also major factors that affect the price. Larger homes, particularly those with four or more bedrooms, are typically valued higher. Extra features like a garden or off-road parking also add value, with the average garden increasing a property’s price by up to £20,000.

The condition of a property is also a determining factor. Homes that are well-maintained or recently renovated often fetch higher prices. Properties with energy-efficient upgrades – such as double glazing, insulation, or solar panels – are becoming increasingly desirable. A good EPC rating can also raise a property’s value by 5-10%.

Modern fixtures such as a recently installed kitchen or bathroom can also add to the overall price, reducing the need for buyers to make costly changes after moving in.

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