A largely untouched example of post-war modernist architecture is set to go under the hammer in Blackheath later this month offering buyers a rare chance to acquire an original Span house with extensive period features intact.
31 The Plantation, located on the private Cator Estate, will be sold by First for Auctions via online auction on Thursday, 26 February 2026, with a guide price of £450,000.
Designed by renowned British architect Eric Lyons and developed by Span Developments in 1961, the three-bedroom property has remained in the same ownership since it was built.
As a result, it retains a wealth of original features, including teak built-in wardrobes, parquet flooring, sliding doors and original kitchen fittings – elements that have been lost from many Span homes through later modernisation.
DESIRABLE SCHEME
The house is arranged over two floors, with a double reception room, study and separate kitchen on the ground floor. Upstairs are three bedrooms, a bathroom and a separate WC.
Outside, the property benefits from a secluded courtyard garden, an additional private garden, residents’ parking and a garage.
Set within a quiet, tree-lined development, The Plantation is regarded as one of Span’s most desirable schemes and is located around half a mile from Blackheath Village, its mainline station and the open spaces of Blackheath and Greenwich Park.
ARCHITECTURAL ICON
Daniel Gale, Head of Auctions at First for Auctions, says: “This is a very special property. It offers the opportunity to restore and live in an architectural icon that combines design pedigree with a fantastic location.
“Span homes like this don’t come up often, and this one is particularly rare in its originality.”
Span Developments was co-founded by Eric Lyons and Geoffrey Townsend in the post-war period, with the aim of reimagining suburban housing.
COMMUNITY FOCUSED
Between the 1950s and 1960s, the partnership delivered more than 2,000 homes across southern England, combining modernist design principles with landscaped, community-focused settings.
Lyons was awarded the RIBA London Architecture Bronze Medal in 1955 and later served as President of RIBA. His work through Span is widely regarded as influential in shaping British domestic architecture, providing well-designed, affordable homes in green, low-density environments.
Viewings are available by appointment and the legal pack has been made available online. The auction will take place on 26 February 2026, with further details and bidder registration available via the First for Auctions website.
