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A unique ‘car-centric’ 10-bedroom home built by the man who helped design the Lotus Elan is on the market for £6.95million.
Villa Devereux was built by designer and inventor Ron Hickman with a dramatic streamlined roofs and space for 26 cars.
Hickman moved to Jersey in the 1970s after making his millions inventing the Black & Decker Workmate bench, having also helped lead the design team of the iconic sports car, and built this property.
His home, with a perfectly preserved interior spanning an enormous 20,000 sq ft, is like stepping back in time and has been celebrated for its architectural quality and integrity.
The one-of-a-kind, Grade II listed modernist property sits on a headland above the island’s St Brelade’s Bay with stunning sea views past the manicured garden.
Villa Devereux, built by designer and inventor Ron Hickman, is on the market for £6.95million
The pool area is brilliantly lit through the especially striking wall of glass which runs almost entirely up the south side of the property
The Jersey property, built after Hickman moved there in the 1970s has 10-bedrooms and plenty of living spaces
The perfectly preserved interior, spanning an enormous 20,000 sq ft, makes visitors feel like they are stepping back in time
The one-of-a-kind, Grade II listed modernist property sits on a headland above the island’s St Brelade’s Bay with stunning sea views past the manicured garden
It has five bedrooms in the main house, a one-bedroom guest apartment on the top floor with sea views, a studio apartment and a three-bedroom staff apartment.
There are lots of balconies to make the most of the views and an indoor pool complex with gym, sauna and orangery with direct access to the garden.
Hickman took inspiration from Californian homes for Villa Devereux’s bold diagonal roofs and inside it has striking bronze features and a perspex chandelier.
The pool area is brilliantly lit through the especially striking wall of glass which runs almost entirely up the south side of the property.
Perhaps the clearest example of the homes well-preserved 1970s decor is its kitchen, which wooden cabinets, beige patterned wall tiles and an orange tiled floor.
An entirely wood paneled room houses an impressive snooker table with a traditional canopy light above.
Another impressive feature is the brass fireplace in the main living room.
But maybe most unique of all is a set of warning light which look like they belong in the Starship Enterprise, flashing different colours depending on whether the sauna is on, the heating is on a timer, or the pool air filter needs replacing.
There are five bedrooms in the main house (one pictured), a one-bedroom guest apartment on the top floor with sea views, a studio apartment and a three-bedroom staff apartment
There are also lots of balconies to make the most of the views
Perhaps the clearest example of the homes well-preserved 1970s decor is its kitchen, which wooden cabinets, beige patterned wall tiles and an orange tiled floor
Another impressive feature is the brass fireplace in the main living room
Pictured: Villa Devereux’s period dining room
Naturally in a designer’s house, the study is far from a neglected corner of the house
An entirely wood paneled room houses an impressive snooker table with a traditional canopy light above
The bathrooms are another sign of the villa’s age, with decorated wall tiles
Maybe most unique of all is a set of warning light which look like they belong in the Starship Enterprise
Hickman took inspiration from Californian homes for Villa Devereux’s bold diagonal roofs and also a tall perspex chandelier
A one-bedroom guest apartment on the top floor boasts stunning sea views
In total the property has two acres of grounds, mostly laid to lawn, but also with a sufficiently large drive for up to 26 cars.
Hickman’s car collection included an Elan Sprint and a Cadillac V16 that had belonged to an Indian Maharajah and his former home is equipped with three double garages.
Alasdair Hedley, head of international at John D Wood & Co who are selling the property, said: ‘Villa Devereux is not just a property; it’s a testament to visionary design and innovative spirit.
‘Its unique blend of architectural brilliance and historical significance offers potential buyers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a piece of living history.
‘The expansive spaces, breathtaking sea views, and unparalleled amenities make it a true masterpiece in the luxury property market.’
The designer died aged 78 in 2011 after spending several months in hospital following a fall.
In total the property has two acres of grounds, mostly laid to lawn, but also with a sufficiently large drive for up to 26 cars
Pictured: Views of St Brelade’s Bay, Jersey, from the stunning property
South African Hickman (seen with a Lotus Elan Sprint) had a passion for cars and moved to London in the 1950s where he got a job at Ford in the styling department
Hickman’s biggest success was the Workmate, which has sold nearly 70m models since Black & Decker put his design into mass production in 1973
South African Hickman had a passion for cars and moved to London in the 1950s where he got a job at Ford in the styling department before working with Colin Chapman of Lotus.
He helped design the Elan alongside John Frayling, which became the defining British sports car of the 1960s, made famous when Bond girl to-be Diana Rigg drove one in The Avengers.
Hickman had the idea for the Workmate in 1961, when he accidentally sawed through the leg of an expensive chair while making a wardrobe and left Lotus in 1967 to start his own design company and develop the DIY product.
Nearly 70m have been sold since Black & Decker put his design into mass production in 1973.
