There are plenty of reasons to long for life on the Manygate Lane Estate. The houses here were created by the Swiss architect Edward Schoolheifer for the Lyon Group in 1964 and have since played host to a number of well-known residents: Marlon Brando, Rod Steiger, Julie Christie, Tom Jones… If only walls could talk. Back when the homes were built, their open-plan layouts and modernist schemes were regarded as radical. Today, however, as this three-bedroom house on the market proves, they’re simply lovely places to live – and here’s why…

The 80 two- and three-storey homes that form the Manygate Lane Estate are characterised by their near-identical façades, which are renowned for their stark simplicity. The buildings are brilliantly boxy in shape, with flat roofs, a row of aluminium-framed floor-to-ceiling windows and vertically slatted white-painted timber. Each has a pair of private gardens too. A lot of the charm of the estate, which became a designated conservation area in 2022, can be credited to these uniform exteriors and outdoor spaces, but arguably the very best bits lie inside.

Fans of mid-century design will marvel at the golden-brown flooring and ceiling – made from jarrah and pine respectively – that define the characterful scheme of the downstairs. We love how soft grey and white paints have been selected for the walls to ensure the original features shine. The recently refurbished kitchen, meanwhile, has both orange and brown tiles, which lend it a retro feel in keeping with the rest of the house. Then there’s the real joy of this level: the layout. Those with a penchant for hosting will revel in the open-plan kitchen, dining and living area that comes alive when full of people. It was designed in the Swinging Sixties, after all.

In fact, social butterflies will find themselves perfectly suited to life on the estate, which has a community spirit running through its veins. As well as the two private gardens, there’s a large shared outdoor space, where neighbours come together throughout the year. The events hosted by residents are, in fact, the best place to learn about the history of Manygate – particularly by some residents who have lived here for more than 40 years and have fascinating stories to tell. Having had the pleasure of visiting and selling a number of homes here, including that which once belonged to a particular Welsh singer (which you can virtually tour here), we can attest that they’re worth listening to.