Elm Grove, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2

If you want a good work/life balance this luxury 2 bed apartment is the perfect retreat, tucked away on the ground floor of a beautiful double fronted Victorian Villa with a rare, south facing patio and plentiful, local permit parking. Transformed in 2017 to deliver sophisticated city homes within easy access of the Downs and the sea, the Level and fashionable Open Market at the foot of the North Laine are a 20 min walk, and Brighton Station’s direct trains to Gatwick, London and Sussex University are 25-30 mins walk or 10-15 min cycle. Inside offers a light and spacious open plan lifestyle to enjoy with a contemporary finish and open views at the front – and it’s not overlooked at the back either. Just off Elm Grove with a grocery store around the corner and a bistro pub a stroll but out of hearing, it’s ideal for professionals, investors or a small family with 4 popular primary schools and Brighton College within a 5 min radius, Brighton General Hospital a 3 minute walk and other major employers like Amex, police station, the County and Nuffield Hospital all within a 6 minute drive – or short bus ride.

In brief:
Style GF patio apartment remains of 10 year warranty
Type 2 double bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living room, open plan living dining room kitchen
Area Elm Grove
Floor Area Please see floorplan
Outside Space South patio
Parking Permit Zone S, no list
Council Tax Band B

Why You’ll Like It:
At the bottom of the hill, the Level’s open green spaces sometimes hosts events during festivals and both London Road and the North Laine have a great buzz with their eclectic mix of exotic street food from around the globe, vintage clothing, antique shops, independent boutiques and fresh produce making both a magnet for locals and tourists. At the top of the hill, you can run or cycle for miles enjoying the rolling countryside of the South Downs or you can skip down Freshfield Road to beaches with café bars, an open pool, sauna and yoga centres, and So-Ho House.

Quietly tucked back from tree-lined Elm Grove (with bus routes), this spacious apartment is on the ground floor of a classic Victorian Villa with gables and broad bays, and you step up wide central stairs past front gardens to a beautiful front door with original hand painted glass, which is secured by an answer phone system. Inside doesn’t disappoint with a clean and tidy communal hall with the entrance to the apartment on your left.

Inside, an inviting hallway has a deep cupboard which also conceals plumbing for a washing machine, and ahead, the open plan living room is a glamorous retreat with a south wall of glass opening to the sunny, south facing patio perfect for friends to spill out to. There’s oak underfoot for an easy in/out flow, ample space for sofas and a large table for entertaining, whilst the streamlined kitchen is tucked into its own area so although sociable, it doesn’t dominate the whole room. With plenty of storage, wood working surfaces and usb charging points in the many power points it’s good to go, with high end appliances which include a Zanussi touch induction hob and oven beneath a Hotpoint hood, a Whirlpool microwave and a dishwasher.
Outside, the lit patio is private sun trap with Mediterranean inspired tiles for a holiday feel and space for a stylish south facing, al fresco lifestyle you don’t need to travel for.

Central to the apartment, the bathroom has touches of luxury with a shower above the bath, a lit mirror over the hand basin and vanity unit as well as warming rails for towels. Across the hall, the guest room is a comfortable double with a sophisticated storage system built in and views over the quiet one way street to the side. At the front of the apartment, with glorious open views along the opposite terrace to rolling countryside, the principal bedroom has the restful proportions only Victorian properties deliver, providing plenty of space for wardrobes as well as for working from home where you can watch the world go by, unseen.

Agent’s Thoughts
“This is a laid back, unpretentious area which appeals to families, professionals and investors with lots of local amenities and it bridges Kemptown’s beaches access to the Downs and the city centre.”

Owner’s secret
“The apartment is light, inviting and easy to live in. We love the leafy views from the bedroom so you don’t feel hemmed in even though its just 5-6 mins drive to the city centre. We have enjoyed having the countryside on the doorstep – you’re on the Downs in minutes- and you can run or cycle to the sea in about 10 mins, either through Kemptown’s beaches or to the pier as the multi-million pound development of the Level to the sea has created a green, level corridor with fountains which lead to the pier. The street is friendly and quiet but convenient with local organic shops, cafes and bistro pubs nearby and has a mix of people as this is a great spot if you’re a couple, an older person or a family. There is always something to do whatever you’re into and in the evenings, you won’t need to use the car to go to restaurants or theatres as you can walk or bus everywhere.”

What’s around you:
Shops: Local 1 min walk, Open Market & North Laine 20 mins on foot
Train Station: Brighton mainline about 25-30 on foot, 10ish by cab or cycle
Seafront or park: The Level 20 mins on foot, 9 by bus, seafront 10 mins by cycle, 15-20 by bus, 6 by car

Closest schools:
Primary: Elm Grove, St Luke’s, Queen’s Park
Sixth Form: Varndean, BHASVIC, MET, BIMM
Secondary: Varndean/Dorothy Stringer
Private: Brighton College, Roedean

Elm Grove is known for its organic shops, bistro pubs and bakeries as well as its easy access to the open spaces of the Level which holds events during the arts festivals, and the city centre. If you teach, Elm Grove Primary is around the corner and other good schools including St Luke’s and Brighton College are easy to reach. Kemptown is on the doorstep which hosts Amex, Police Station, the hospitals – and Pride- and has a relaxed café culture as well as useful amenities, beach bars and outdoor pool by the sea. The station serving Falmer, Lewes, Gatwick and London is about 15 mins on foot, there is no waiting list for S zone parking and Elm Grove will take you up to the racecourse and open countryside or to London & Lewes Roads for swift access into or out of the city.