6-bed house, Bassevelde

CHARM. AUTHENTICITY. CHARACTER. SPACE. LIGHT. COZINESS. In the village centre of Bassevelde we find this unique real estate gem for which words fall short. The house, with no fewer than 6 bedrooms and a ground-floor office, was built in 1935 by the Steyaert family and has had many distinguished owners over the years. Moreover, this property carries the rightful designation of protected heritage. HISTORY AND STYLE The well-preserved 1935 house on the village square is a representative example of brick architecture aligned with Romantic Cubism, a between-wars style that refers to the work of Dutch architect W.M. Dudok. Especially notable are the neat brick facing with the typical Dudok joint, the original metal windows, the narrow tall windows with geometric stained glass that illuminate the stairwell, and the rounded corners of the iron balcony—recognisable style elements. The house is particularly exceptional because of the intactness and authenticity of the high-quality Art Deco interior that was realised as a total concept. The richness of materials used—marble for the hallway floors and fireplaces, tropical wood for the parquet floors and staircase, colourful wall tiles, stained glass in the interior door and the tall stairwell windows—and the careful finishing of the interior woodwork and decorative fittings, including fixed elements such as radiator covers and the cosy corner, all testify to quality and a style-conscious, contemporary taste. Because of its prominent location on the village square, in the sightline of the parish church, the bandstand and the war memorial, and because of its relatively unusual modern building style in this rural context, the building is a well-recognisable feature of the village centre. The rear garage and the deep garden date from the same period and reflect the same total-concept approach characteristic of the interwar years. The garden layout with terraces, a formal pond and numerous evergreen trees and shrubs forms an integral part of the interwar house. PRESENT DAY Today this imposing residence is in a condition that has already been largely renovated within the broad renovation options afforded to protected properties. The windows, heating system and electrical installation (compliant) have been renewed. Water pipes and plasterwork have also been partially redone. In addition, roof insulation has been installed and the property is practically asbestos-free; of course there is no obligation to renovate. Any f…