Property

Inside the north’s rare 1950s mid-century modern ‘masterpiece’ on the market for £1.1m

What a beauty.

Clementine Hall - 20th February 2026

A rare Grade II-listed mid-century modern home designed by a renowned architect has gone on the market in Lancashire.

Now, we know this one is a little off patch for us… but honestly, it’s a truly unique masterpiece worth hyping up.

Before we all get carried away, it goes without saying that the vast majority of us won’t have the money to buy this house just chilling in bank accounts right now, but if like us, you’ve got no shame in admitting you love looking at houses you can’t afford in places you’ll probably never live, then allow us to introduce you to this absolute beauty.

This is Domus – thought to be one of the first ‘modern’ houses in the county, commissioned for Eric Cookson and his wife all the way back in 1958. 

Mid-century modern (MCM) homes are commonplace in the US and in other countries across Europe, but here in the UK, it’s a different story.

MCMs homes are said to be rare in the UK due to a preference for traditional, durable materials like brick, as well as higher land costs demanding smaller footprints, and because we have a climate that makes large, single-pane glass windows more impractical.

Hence why this home in the sought-after Burnley town of Reedley is so special.

Designed by the renowned architect Alan Chambers, and concealed from view at the foot of a private driveway, fronted by landscaped gardens and a screen of mature specimen trees, estate agents say this exceptional Grade II-listed modern masterpiece is set intended for ‘creating, communing, and entertaining’.

One of the property’s other stand-out features has to be its abundance of natural light in the main living spaces, where expansive full-height windows frame views of the garden.

Retaining the building’s legacy has also been integral to its current owners, with much of the property’s internal detailing having been beautifully preserved throughout – most notably in terrazzo tiles, marble floors, and aluminium door furniture, light switches and sanitaryware.

Oh, and of course, we have to mention the artfully crafted open-tread staircase as one of the many original features that just steals the show.

The outside is just as impressive as the inside too, as not only is there a collection of characteristic balconies surrounding the property, but you’ll also find that the gardens and woodland extend to around 5.7 acres – which form an integral part of what makes this home so remarkable and unlike anything else in the North West

Like what you see then?

This property is currently on the market with mid-century modern expert estate agents, The Modern House, for a (pretty reasonable, to be fair) £1.1 million, and if you fancy taking a closer look, then you can contact the agents to arrange a viewing.

Or you could just take the cheaper route instead and have a nosy at the Rightmove link here.

Read more: Salon Madre – the new tequila bar and pool hall that’s just opened in Leeds city centre

Featured Image – The Modern House