Javaid Iqbal knows a thing or two about creating beautiful, high-end homes, as the builder of many houses now occupied by Premier League footballers and individuals of high net worth and high standards. This home, however, is one he created for himself and his family, and this shows in every inch of the property.
‘The purchasers of my previous houses have certain expectations of what they want from a home. These days, many residences of these grand houses have live-in staff, or bring their parents to live with them, but want to keep a degree of separation between the two, so I build homes with an annexe that can be kept closed off from the rest of the house, with its own discreet entrance. This gives everyone a sense of privacy but ensures all the homeowner’s needs are met. My plan when building this home was the same, but family circumstances have changed since I started the build, so our plans have changed too.
‘The house I have built here was designed, in every aspect, for me and for my family – for two generations – and in every way it’s the very best.’
The property is set at the head of a private road, and is elevated above its neighbours, ensuring complete privacy. It backs onto Dunham Massey Golf Course and is a 10-minute walk from Dunham Massey park, resulting in a calm, birdsong-filled environment, just a short drive from Altrincham and Hale, and the motorway network.
‘I’m quite old-fashioned when it comes to many aspects of home-building,’ Javaid says. ‘For me the perfect plot is one third at the front and two thirds to the rear, and when I found this, with the rear garden not only two thirds of the plot, but also south facing, I knew it could be something special.
‘There was a 1970s house here originally, which we stripped back and remodelled, and extended the footprint too. I worked with Paul Anderton at B2 Architecture, in Hale. He’s so good; I’m blown away by how he took the 1970s house and created something so contemporary, yet also timeless. It’s of its age but won’t date.
‘One of the challenges I gave him was to avoid that slight coldness you can find in these big, grand builds. I wanted big spaces and open plan on the ground floor, but also to have the cosy feel you get in the most loved homes. He’s really done brilliantly. The bedrooms are spacious, but not vast, so you feel wrapped in by them. The master suite is appropriately grand, with high ceilings and lots of light, but feels calm and welcoming.’
Another of Javaid’s concerns is the use of light, and he has ensured the maximum amount possible of natural light pours into every space.
‘I can’t bear dark rooms,’ he says. ‘I told Paul there should never be a need to switch on electric lights in the daytime, in any room.’
Outside, Javaid engaged the services of stonemason Gordon Lyons, from Lyons Stonework in Bury, to work the creamy, buff Fletcher Bank stone porch and elevations.
‘He’s a genius,’ Javaid says. ‘I have never seen stonework as good as his. He’s a total perfectionist, his attention to detail is unbelievable; if he’s not happy, he starts again. It looks superb.’
Building as he was for his own family, Javaid has chosen the best of interior fixtures and fittings, meaning whoever buys this home will enjoy quality not usually found in properties built purely as financial investments.
‘The kitchen is all in-frame walnut units, with quartz worktops and Miele appliances,’ Javaid says, ‘and the bathrooms are all Duravit by Philippe Stark. I also chose light fittings from Ralph Lauren throughout. This wasn’t my original intention; I started with the main hallway lights and was so impressed by the design and quality I decided to run Ralph Lauren light fittings through the house. No regrets, even though I chose them for my family to enjoy, they look so great it was the right thing to do and the next family will get to enjoy them now.’
Honey-toned herringbone parquet floors and elegant staircase, soft cream carpeting and light, light everywhere, make this a home that needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.
The rear garden has been beautifully finished, with Javaid investing in mature shrubs and semi-mature trees to create a garden that already offers privacy and a sense of having been in place for many years. The addition of a gym/yoga studio might be a modern twist on a traditional garden, but sits prettily in its space, with its soft green painted exterior lending a more traditional feel to a modern construction.
‘I see us as custodians of these beautiful, grand homes,’ Javaid says. ‘It will be here long after I am not. I wanted to make sure the next family, and the next, and the next, love living here and benefit from every decision I have made to make this house the perfect family home.’
Bradgate Road, Altrincham, is for sale for £4.25m, from Jackson-Stops, Hale.
jackson-stops.co.uk
