St. Edwards Road, Southsea, Hampshire

In one of the architectural-inspired centres of Southsea, Sussex Cottage sits amongst a beautiful road of Edwardian properties in a conservation area. Not so much a cottage but an example of gracious Edwardian living, this villa has been extensively restored, extended and maintained over the last few years to cater for modern-day family living. Possibly its design was influenced by the early 19th century architect, builder and developer Thomas Ellis Owen who was responsible for developing much of the grand properties of Southsea.

The current owners have re-roofed the existing house and maintained the render finish and quoin cornerstones in an attractive white/pale grey colour with grey timber sash windows on the front elevation. A sympathetic double-storey extension to the side provides a modern kitchen/diner on the ground floor with a single-storey orangery beyond and a master bedroom with en-suite bathroom above.

The front paved garden offers off-street parking for two cars, there is a 7kw electric car charging point, side access to the rear garden through a timber framed and roofed structure used for storage and utility space.

The front boundary is maintained by an attractive brick wall with screen laurel hedging, an original wrought iron gate leads to the steps and a timber front door with an opaque glazed semi-circle fan light above with Sussex Cottage inscribed on the surface.

On entering the generous full-length hall, there is a real sense of style, space and natural light with the high ceilings, attractive detailed timber architrave dado rails, extensive plaster detailing on walls, in alcoves and on ceilings including a ceiling rose-throughout the original ground floor accommodation. All internal doors are pitch pine, unpainted and panelled. Windows and doors on the rear elevation are predominantly upvc double glazed including a bespoke attractive stained-glass window on the half landing, in the modern style of Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow Rose. There are two entrances leading to the full-depth lounge with a feature fireplace and integrated log burner, a large window overlooking the front garden and upvc double glazed doors leading onto the rear garden.

An additional reception room with operating fireplace overlooks the front garden and there is a snug behind leading to steps down to the modern kitchen/diner and orangery behind.

Upstairs in the main part of the house there are 3 double bedrooms, with wardrobes, attractive period fireplaces and a modern family bathroom comprising a bath, shower, basin and toilet tiled around the wet areas.

There is a door leading to the master bedroom suite comprising an extensive bathroom with a corner bath, bidet, toilet, two basins and a walk-in shower all extensively tiled and with good natural light. Beyond is the master bedroom with double doors at the rear providing access to the ‘Bauder’ covered flat roof of the orangery for maintenance and cleaning.

From the orangery, the ceramic grey tiled floor extends through ‘Schuco’ German engineered 3 meter wide bi-fold doors into the south-facing garden which offers a large entertainment space with free standing kitchen, supplied with piped gas, hot and cold water, a superior 3 membrane Astroturf putting surface and a brick built pitched garage, which opens onto Garden Lane for vehicle access via an electric roller shutter door.

We understand the garage entrance and garage itself can house a large vehicle such as a Range Rover The floor ground floor garage is tiled and houses a small kitchenette area, a 7kw electric car charger and a 9.2 kw ‘GivEnergy’ battery storage and control panel.

On the pitched roof are 12 solar panels - this provides sufficient electric energy for the summer months. On the first floor there is a fitted-out office with excellent natural light, two double glazed upvc doors - which offers easy access for large items of furniture into and out of the first floor - and electric heating.

For those looking to add additional flexible accommodation, planning permission was granted at the end of 2023 to open-up the basement level into lower ground floor accommodation. This would comprise a living and kitchen area, a bedroom with bathroom, ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, a subterranean garden with its own front entrance leading off the front drive and lightwells at the front and rear of the property.

This lower ground floor would extend under the curtilage of the existing property. In conclusion this is a beautifully presented period home which provides flexible family accommodation in a sought-after Southsea location protected by being in a conservation area and offering the opportunity to extend providing a self-contained flat for family, a relative, a guest suite or an investment opportunity.
Council tax band: F