ONE of York's most exciting and innovative properties is now on the market.

The Downie House, Heworth Green, York, is an original, contemporary home which was completed about five years ago by local architect John Baily.

Planned with a strong Japanese influence, it was built in a tranquil and secluded walled garden and designed with south-facing principal rooms.

Features include solid Canadian ash floors, a German underfloor heating system, superb insulation to minimise heating costs and a magnificent beech wood and stainless steel curving staircase.

Inside, there is an open-plan living room with French windows to the garden terrace.

The dining area has an oriel French window to the courtyard, while the kitchen area has some built-in appliances.

There is a secondary kitchen, with a built-in dishwasher, a garden room and a house bathroom too.

The master bedroom is open plan and features exposed timber beams and velux and dormer windows, which overlook the gardens.

There is an en-suite luxury bathroom with a deep bath, bidet, vanity wash-basin and walk-in shower, and a dressing room.

There are two more bedrooms, with one also used as a garden room.

From Heworth Green, the property is accessed down a long drive which leads to a high timber electric sliding gate, set in tall brick gate pillars.

There is a paved terrace on the south side of the property, overlooking a curving border stocked with herbaceous plants and flowering shrubs. To the east side, there is a walled courtyard.

The Downie House is priced at £695,000. Contact Jackson-Stops & Staff.