This Surrey property has been nicknamed the Elephant House thanks to its U-shaped window and trunk-like tower. Now, the unusual Frimley home is headed to auction, with a guide price of £220,000.

Architect Lawrence Abbott designed the brutalist semi as part of the award-winning, 32-home Apex Development in the 1960s when the government pushed for affordable housing in the commuter town. He later was part of the all-star architecture teams behind the Pompidou Centre in Paris and Lloyd’s Building in London.

The ‘herd’ of elephant houses all share this unusual exterior aesthetic, which locals love or hate. But as polarising as their exterior might be, their interiors are light-filled and expansive, with living spaces stacked across three levels.

This one desperately needs renovation, as reflected in its guide price. However, it retains Abbott’s clear architectural vision and appears in original condition, with feature windows and the zig-zagging curved staircase still intact. The three-bedroom Surrey property also has a courtyard garden and a detached garage – part of a block for the street.

The brutalist fixer-upper goes under the hammer on 29 September 2023 via First For Auctions, with bids opening from 10 am. Interested parties must register beforehand, and there are a few key stipulations to be aware of – only cash buyers are allowed, and they must have the ability to complete within six short weeks. But this brutalist pad could be the perfect renovation project for the right buyer.

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