2 bed Flat For Sale £375,000
York Villas, Brighton BN1
previous price £385,000

Completely unique and steeped in history, this two-bedroom apartment sits within a beautiful Regency villa surrounded by walled gardens. It is peacefully tucked away close to Brighton's historic viaduct and Seven Dials, so it remains hugely well-connected to the city. Its rooms are beautifully bright due to a southerly aspect and it has the generous proportions that the period affords with high ceilings and many period features. Both bedrooms are double which will appeal to landlord investors and sharers, and the decoration is stylish throughout. Just seven minutes from Brighton Station and with the newly regenerated Preston Circus at the bottom of the hill, this is the perfect pad for commuters and professionals, but with so many excellent schools in catchment, it will attract families too, so it is sure to be snapped up.

Style: First floor apartment in a Regency villa (1820)
Bedrooms: 2 double
Bathrooms: 1
Living rooms: 1 spacious and open plan
Area:585 sq.ft
Outside: Large communal garden
Location: Seven Dials/ Viaduct
Parking: Permit zone Q

Why you'll like it:
Certain historians will claim that the original villa in which this apartment sits was commissioned by the Prince Regent to house one of his many mistresses. It is for this reason it sits so perfectly tucked away behind walled and gated gardens, to ensure he would have complete privacy. It was built in 1820 – sixty-years earlier than the other homes on the road, and it certainly feels very grand on the approach.

Tall, decorative gates open from York Villas and into the gardens which set the house back from the road. It was divided into six apartments during the 1990s, all of which have a share of the freehold and use of the beautiful garden. This has areas of lawn and has been well maintained with flowering plants and scented herbs, and being set behind border walls, it is very private. A path leads the way to the grand portico entrance and into the recently renovated communal hallway where steps lead up to your door on the first floor.

Once inside, it is immediately clear this is a well-maintained, stylish and spacious apartment with high ceilings and generous rooms. From the l-shaped entrance hall, the living room is directly ahead and has wooden floors which have been sanded and varnished in pale honeyed tones. This is a large, open plan room with clearly defined areas for relaxation, cooking, formal dining and entertaining, and being cleverly designed, the kitchen does not dominate the space. It is dual aspect with sash windows looking out over the garden and with an east and southerly orientation it is naturally light. The period fireplace is open to add warmth and atmosphere during wintery evenings, and there are two pendant lights to illuminate the living room and kitchen areas.

Within the kitchen areas, the timber units have been fitted with a washing machine, while the fridge and range cooker are freestanding and can be included in the sale. The current owner has a freestanding kitchen island and breakfast bar which shows what can be done with the space and provides definition to this large room.

Above you, a hatch opens to the very generous loft space which has been carpeted, insulated and had a Velux window added for natural light, so while it cannot be used as a permanent living space or bedroom, it is great for storage or as an occasional work space/art room etc.

Moving through the apartment, the bedrooms are peacefully tucked away from the main living space and both rooms enjoy garden views. They are both double with space for beds and freestanding pieces of bedroom furniture, but the larger room also has two double wardrobes built in around the chimney breast which maximises the floor space further. Both rooms are also carpeted for added warmth and comfort and the walls are fresh in white to suit all types of furnishing.

Equidistant from the living room and the bedrooms is the bathroom which once had a bath, but this has since been replaced with a double width shower – although a bath could be reinstated if that is your preference. There is plenty of vanity-unit storage and a wall mounted mirror, plus a tall heated rail for your towels.

Agent's thoughts:
This is a really unique apartment which feels miles from the city as it is both quiet and green with a glorious garden. Its rooms are versatile and with the added bonus of the loft space for storage it is a much larger property than many 2-bedroom flats in the area.

Owner's secret
"I bought the house in 1990 as one dwelling and developed it at the same time. I have lived here ever since, and it has been a wonderful home for me and my son when he was growing up. For families, the area is excellent as you can walk everywhere and the local schools – both primary and secondary, are amongst the best in the city, as are the 6th form colleges. The garden is also lovely, and for somewhere so central, it is really peaceful here. It will be a wrench to leave."

Where it is:
Shops: Local 2 min walk, Churchill Square 10 min walk
Train Station: Brighton Station 7 min walk
Seafront or Park: St Ann's Well Gardens 10 min walk, the Seafront 17-20 min walk
Closest Schools:
Primary: Stanford Infants and Junior Schools
Secondary: Varndean or Dorothy Stringer, Cardinal Newman rc
Private: Brighton College, Windlesham Prep

This central city apartment is beautifully situated in a popular area with lots of local shops and parks on your doorstep. The city centre shopping districts and the beach are within easy reach, and it also offers easy access to the A23/A27 as well as Brighton Station with its regular, fast links to the airports and London.