Richmond Terrace, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2

As you enter the resplendent communal hallways of Old College House, you will be awestruck by the scale and beauty of the building, originally built in 1895 as the city’s Municipal College. This outstanding apartment is found on the ground floor to the rear, so it is ultimately peaceful and is the only apartment in the building to have a private rear garden. It was converted in 2004 from one of the grand lecture rooms, so it has soaring ceilings and exceptional proportions with the main living area and principal bedroom enjoying double height ceilings overlooked from a mezzanine floor. The vast industrial windows have been retained and restored bringing plenty of natural light and leafy views into the space, yet it is the current owners’ sense of style and interior design which is breath-taking upon entry. They have a clearly refined eye for colour which has been used throughout to evoke a sense of calm while also creating a real style statement. The private garden leads on to a larger landscaped communal garden, and a full-time concierge is employed to ensure the building is well-managed and feels totally secure – ideal for frequent travellers looking for a lock-up-and-leave.

Old College House sits opposite The Level Park, so there are excellent transport links nearby and Brighton Station is within easy walking distance. The local schools are exemplary, and Brighton’s bohemian North Laine and Hanover are nearby offering a wealth of foodie pubs, boutique shops, restaurants and bars. With so many stunning features, this is a stand-alone property which will appeal to professionals, investors and families alike, all looking to live the quintessential Brighton lifestyle by the sea.

Council Tax: E
EPC: D

Introduction:

With plenty of kerb appeal, Old College House is a striking Victorian building adorned with the architectural features of the period in red and pale gault brick. It has an air of grandeur which only impresses further when stepping in through the portico entrance to the communal hallways bearing the original stained-glass windows, tiled floors, exposed marble and a sweeping stone staircase. Passing the attendant concierge, the entrance to this apartment sits at the far end of the ground floor corridor.

It is the attention to detail which grabs you when you first explore this home; where the exceptional interior styling is immediately evident. It is breath-takingly beautiful and incredibly stylish, taking elements from nature and the Wabi-sabi movement, but also inspired by Mid-Century interiors and the natural industrial scale and features of the building. All surfaces and fittings have been considered with both form and function in mind, so the scheme feels complete and the light and space has been maximised throughout.

Entrance Hall:

From the moment you enter the apartment, you can sense there is something a bit special going on. The entrance hall is wide and welcoming with bespoke lighting features which will stay, and solid wood flooring which flows into the main reception ahead. A soothing palette of greens has been used throughout the apartment, ranging from rich emeralds to calming sage which echoes the green and leafy views from every window. These tones continue from the walls and onto the ceilings, skirtings, architraves and internal doors, complementing the natural stone and wood hues elsewhere. There are deep cupboards for storing coats, shoes and household items to ensure the apartment remains clutter free, and the new Worcester combination boiler is also concealed.

Living Room:

A sight to behold, this space invites entertaining with a double height ceiling and clearly defined areas for relaxation and formal dining. Tall walls allow for larger artworks and two graceful arched windows frame private views over the garden and surrounding trees. The tones of nature are picked up in the National Trust Heritage Green walls and ceiling which have a calming effect on the space, while the door and window frames are picked out in black for emphasis. Solid wood flooring is warm below the feet, yet it is a remarkably cool room and totally peaceful due to its position at the rear of the building.

Kitchen:

A contemporary timber slat wall creates a partial divide between the living room and kitchen which is open to the room but recessed below the mezzanine floor. Again, wooden floors flow seamlessly across thresholds and streamlined cabinetry has been updated to complement the colour scheme within the living room while new oblong brick wall tiles add a vibrant pop of colour on the splashbacks. Black Corian worktops are both hardwearing and stylish and the appliances are fully integrated below to include a fan oven, dishwasher, washer/dryer and fridge freezer, all of which will be staying.

Master Bedroom:

Enchanting Azure Green by Little Greene envelops you as you step into the master bedroom on the ground floor. The rich emerald hue rises up the tall walls to cover the double height ceiling like a canopy of trees or a night sky. New woven carpets lighten the space, as do two full length windows (with tilt openings) sitting high on the wall framing the skyscape and treetop vista. The room is so spacious that even with a large king-size bed and several pieces of freestanding bedroom furniture, the floor space is not compromised, and there is huge potential to add built-in wardrobes or a door access to the bathroom next door to create a full en suite.

Ground Floor Bathroom:

Perfectly spacious and subtly lit, the ground floor bathroom has ample space for two to get ready in the morning. The roomy corner shower cubicle is lined in natural mosaic stone tiling and the sanitaryware is contemporary with tactile curves and gleaming chrome fittings. A fitted wall mirror bounces the light around and a heated rail warms the room and towels during the cooler seasons.

Garden & Communal Garden:

A rear door leads from the entrance hall to the patio garden which is completely unique within the building and completely private for this apartment. It is paved with a pretty acer tree to one side and the original flint wall as its border. A painted fence divides the private space from the communal garden and there is plenty of space for growing potted plants or for dining alfresco. It does not feel overlooked and the communal space is rarely used so it forms a lovely backdrop to the patio area. A gardener has landscaped the communal garden which is home to an array of mature trees and well-establish borders sitting around an area of lawn. It is the perfect space for larger summer gatherings, and it invites plenty of wildlife making it hard to believe it is a city centre space.

Bedroom 2 and First Floor Bathroom:

Stepping up to the first-floor landing, a useful work space has been created below a tall sash window looking directly out to the peace and green of the garden. To the left, the mezzanine room is currently used as a dressing room with a wall of built-in wardrobes, yet it is ideal as a second or master bedroom too. While it looks down to the living room, it feels perfectly private and natural light is borrowed from the space through glass balustrade panels.

The bathroom nearby is again a fantastic size with both a shower cubicle and a deep bath with wall mounted taps for comfortable bathing at either end. The hand basin is double width for sharing, and while it is an internal room, it is beautifully lit and well-ventilated.

Agent’s thoughts:

This is a property which keeps on surprising you the further into it you explore. The interior design is outstanding and cannot fail to impress and the addition of a private garden is a huge bonus. This is a property which needs to be seen to fully appreciate its wonder.

Owners’ Secret:

“When we bought the property two years ago, we immediately saw its potential and had a wonderful time creating a space which felt like home. It is a calm, quiet and serene space both inside and out and it is always a joy to come home to. The location is also incredible with the park opposite and so much to enjoy within easy walking distance – so much so that we do not need a car. We had planned for it to be our forever home as we simply adore it, but a work opportunity has arisen which is too good to turn down, so we are going where the universe is taking us. It will be a wrench to leave though.”

Where it is:

Shops: Local 2 min walk, North Laine 5 min walk

Train Station: Brighton Station 10 min walk

Seafront or Park: The Level opposite, Seafront 10 min walk

Closest Schools:

Primary: Elm Grove Primary, St Luke’s Primary

Secondary: Varndean and Dorothy Stringer, Cardinal Newman RC

Private: Brighton College

This impressive apartment is beautifully situated in a popular area with lots of local shops and green spaces nearby. The city centre shopping districts and beach are also within easy reach, and this home also offers easy access to Brighton Station which has direct and fast links to the universities, airports and London.