House For Sale £575,000
College Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2

Ideal as a home or for holidays this light-filled two-bedroom maisonette with a sunny west roof terrace and a treatment room/home office spans the two top storeys of a substantial Victorian house in fashionable Kemptown Village. 1 minute from an al fresco lifestyle and Brighton College, 3 from the seafront, its new Lido, beach kayak hire and yoga studio, beach bar and restaurants, and 4 from the Royal Sussex County Hospital on foot, Brighton Station with its direct trains to Gatwick and London is about 7 minutes by cab (15 by bus). There was permission to convert the loft space, although there are already big, beautiful rooms to enjoy with grand proportions in the sophisticated open plan living room and its high spec kitchen, and both double bedrooms are en-suite. One of the most exclusive locations in the city, The Village is tucked away from tourists where amenities include a weekly farmer’s market, a scenic 15-minute stroll along the seafront or St James’s Street (which hosts Pride) takes you either to the cultural heart of the city or waterfront restaurants of the Marina, and now is the time to buy with substantial improvements taking place along the seafront.

EPC: C
Council Tax: B

One of Brighton’s most sought-after addresses, the Village has independent shops, bars, as well as a Co-Op, Post Office and pharmacy, and there is a chic cafe and ice cream parlour just down the road from this rare find in this historic quarter of the city, an unusually private and spacious apartment that is full of light.

The ground floor entrance is shared by only one other home and a smart, contemporary front door, which matches those on the floors above, leads to a personal staircase and a bright landing where the treatment room opens to the inviting terrace which becomes an extension of this apartment during summer. Inside has versatile space, e.g. it could be a home office or sunny breakfast room and once a bathroom, there is plumbing for a washer dryer in the boiler cupboard in the corner, and there is a cloakroom next door for visitors.

Outside the big sunny terrace is a rare find. A sun trap by day and a peaceful place to watch the sunset and star gaze by night, with room to host and enjoy with friends.
Upstairs, the two first floor rooms have been opened up to create a bright and welcoming living space, ideal for entertaining. Gleaming oak floor is underfoot, the ceiling soars overhead and the warm, Ruby Fountain coloured walls are reminiscent of holidays in the South Sea. Sunshine streams through the room all day with a broad bay at the front spanning almost the entire breadth and height of the eastern wall, and a tall sash window to the west. Tucked into its own space so it is sociable rather than dominant, the streamlined kitchen is a classic blend of grey stone worktops and cashmere units, and it is good to go with high spec, integrated appliances including a Miele touch induction hob and oven, Neff micro/combi, a fridge, freezer, and a dishwasher.

Upstairs, the landing has access to the substantial loft which had planning, now lapsed, for a third double bedroom and en suite. At the back, looking over a sea of gardens to an oblique glimpse of sea, guests will love the peaceful double bedroom which has a fabulous en suite shower room to enjoy. Spanning the whole of the front of the building, the commitment to comfort continues in the restful principal bedroom which has glorious proportions to soothe and faces the morning sunshine, and the calm decoration continues in an en-suite shower room with a designer finish and high end dual headed shower.

Agent’s thoughts:
“Just a 3 minute walk to the sea with fashionable shops, bistro bars and cafés on the doorstep but out of hearing, this spacious apartment with a big roof terrace is in an exclusive area where homes also just a few minutes’ walk from the city sell fast! Close to Brighton College, the hospital and Amex (and its new pedestrian plaza) it is convenient for professionals and a small family, and with bus routes to the station if you don’t want to walk, it is also a solid investment.”

Owner’s secret:
“As a massage therapist and yoga teacher I was attracted to the location as not only can I have a coffee or an ice cream on my street, this area has a friendly fitness and well-being community, and there are a choice of yoga studios to use– one on the beach by the new Lido- as well as fabulous outdoor locations with beautiful scenery to enjoy as you stretch. The apartment is always light and inviting and it has a very calm, creative atmosphere. I bought it from two artists who fell in love in Indonesia and I have kept their rich red in the living room (I’ll leave the tin if you like the colour!) as a reminder of their lasting affection. I love it here, and have had great fun entertaining friends on the terrace after spending time on the beach, in the village or in Brighton where there is so much to do at any time of year. It was the perfect fresh start for me, and although I am looking forward to my next, happy step I don’t think that I will live anywhere as lovely as this again. I hope you love it here, too.”

What’s around you:
Shops: Local 1 minute away, The Lanes 10-5 minutes to walk, 5ish by taxi.
Train Station: Brighton Station 15 minutes by bus.
Seafront or Park: Seafront 3 mins on foot, Queen’s Park 3 minutes by car, 8 on foot.

Closest schools:
Primary: St Luke’s, Queen’s Park, St Mark’s.
Secondary: Varndean or Dorothy Stringer.
Private: Brighton College, Brighton Steiner, Brighton and Hove High.

Kemptown Village is one of the most sought-after locations within our international coastal resort bordered by beaches with a new seasonal lift planned to deliver you to the sea – and beach bars, volleyball courts and our new Lido. Famous for its al fresco lifestyle, independent, specialist shops and a farmer’s market as well as a co-op, post office and chemist, Kemptown hosts the hospitals, good schools including Brighton College, law centres and Amex – as well as the glamorous waterfront restaurants and gym at the Marina. Don’t forget that the theatres and Lanes of central Brighton are all within a 15–20-minute scenic stroll along the seafront or past the lively bars and restaurants of St James’ Street (which hosts Pride) too! Buses serve the whole of the city of Brighton & Hove, and the proximity to Brighton train station with its fast link to Gatwick and London makes commuting possible. For those who need a car, both the A23/27 and coast road are easy to reach.