Maison à vendre, 214m², Saint-Prix

Description

A wide wrought-iron gate opens on to a cobblestone drive that leads to Albert Maignan’s former studio, followed by the dwelling, today concealed behind a majestic cedar, in which the artist once lived. As for Albert Maignan – a painter of history and an illustrator, who won a gold medal at the 1889 World’s Fair and whose works are currently on display in an exhibit in Amiens – he was one of the renowned artists of his time, was awarded large public commissions and, specifically, participated in the décor at Paris’s Opéra-Comique and Senate building, before creating a fresco for Le Train Bleu restaurant at Paris’s Gare de Lyon. Built between 1880 and 1890, the studio is a testament to its owner’s aesthetic ambition, whereas its immense volumes were designed in order to create large-scale works. Thanks to both its architecture and history, the edifice thus represents an integral part of the property, while its tall brick façade, the composition of which resembles Flemish dwellings, is cadenced by a scalloped gable end, a turret and tall windows. On the garden level, arches and sculpted details adorn the base of the building, whereas Albert Maignan, who was also a collector, amassed a sizeable collection of archaeological and medieval objects – some of which can still be found on the property – such as a monumental fountain topped with a sundial. In the back, a patio precedes a tree-filled garden, concealed from view, while the three-storey dwelling, with approximately 200 m² of inhabitable floor area, includes an immense living room, a kitchen, four bedrooms, a wardrobe, a study and two bathrooms. In addition, there are also several annexe spaces, including a utility room, cellars as well as an area, accessible via an archway, used for vehicular parking, whereas, the edifice’s current configuration, resulting from the transformation of the former studio into a family dwelling, has preserved the very dimensions that characterised its initial vocation. The DwellingIt is accessible via two entrances: one from the cobblestone courtyard on the garden level and the other from the patio that skirts the edifice’s opposite side. The garden-level floor One of the dwelling’s two entrances opens on to an immense room, converted into a library/study, which stands out thanks to its soaring floor-to-ceiling height as well as its polychrome tile floor and ancient fireplace. Nearby is a utility room with its many storage spaces, while this level also includes two cellars, including one with a vaulted ceiling, as well as an area to park a vehicle, accessible via an archway, which could be potentially transformed into an extension or a workshop. Extending on from here, a second covered space is specifically used to store bicycles, whereas several exterior steps provide access to the patio and garden. The first floor From the library, a wide staircase ascends to a landing with two windows, which provides access, on one side, to a bedroom with a bathroom and, on the other, to a living room and a dining room, while a lavatory and an immense storage area can also be found on this level. As for the living room, it has preserved the dimensions of the former painter’s studio, with a soaring floor-to-ceiling height, a visible metal structure and large windows that provide abundant sunlight. Facing east, it looks out on the church and village, whereas a door, opening directly on to the patio and garden, is used as the dwelling’s second entrance. Lastly, an open kitchen extends on from the dining room and a spiral staircase connects this room with the dwelling’s top floor. The second floor Accessible from the staircase in the living room as well as the first-floor landing, this level includes three bedrooms and a bathroom, while the largest was originally two distinct rooms separated by a partition that has since been removed, but could be installed once again. As for the third bedroom, topped with a sloping ceiling, it boasts several windows, which look out over the church and rooftops of old Saint-Prix, whereas all the bedrooms on this floor give on to the landing.The ExteriorsSkirting the dwelling, a wooden patio naturally extends the house’s living areas, while a few steps connect the patio with the dwelling’s garden level. In addition, the patio provides access to the garden itself, which is planted with many trees and sheltered from view thanks to its dense vegetation, creating an intimate space on the outskirts of the Montmorency forest.