Embassy Court, Kings Road, Brighton, East Sussex

This bright apartment is set on the ninth floor of Embassy Court, a Grade II*-listed icon of modernist architecture designed by Wells Coates. It spans 679 sq ft, with a newly opened-up dine-in kitchen - unusual for flats of this configuration within the building - and has spectacular dual-aspect views out to sea. Embassy Court was subject to a comprehensive refurbishment in 2006, overseen by Sir Terence Conran's practice, which reinstated the elegance of the building's early life.



The Building



Embassy Court was completed in 1936 to a design by Canadian émigré Wells Coats. It was influenced by ocean liners and set a benchmark for subsequent modernist design in Britain.



Conran and Partners undertook a significant restoration of the building in 2006. As the Twentieth Century Society has written, "the refurbishment of Embassy Court has revealed many of its secrets [...] compared to the earnest experimentation of the Isokon, and the luxurious spatial gymnastics of Palace Gate, the building was about having fun, a 20th-century pleasure-palace".



In the 1980s, this apartment was the home of Keith Waterhouse, a celebrated British author, playwright and social commentator.



The Architect



Although Coates' work in the UK is limited to just a few projects, they are considered among the finest examples of pre-war British modernism. Coates’ most notable earlier project, the Isokon Building in Belsize Park, was constructed in 1929-32 and was a haven for European modernists fleeing the rising tide of fascism on the continent. These flats were home to titans of the movement, including Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer, along with literary and artistic figures.



The Tour



The apartment is accessed via a lift or an external staircase. On entry, a hallway runs the length of the apartment and serves as the central axis from which each room extends.



The benefits of the apartment's ninth-floor position are immediately apparent: wide glazing in the living room captures panoramic sea vistas. Dark-stained oak and white-washed walls are a simple, unobstructive backdrop, allowing the views centre stage. On one wall, storage is provided by built-in shelving, and there is underfloor heating.



The extended kitchen has bespoke-built corner banquette seating with storage beneath, finished with a bright pop from orange leather upholstery. There is a Zanussi oven and a gas hob set into timber worktops. Carbon-coloured cabinets beneath are arranged in an open U-shape. More fantastic views are captured here, stretching across the city's medley of Regency, Victorian and Edwardian buildings.



At the far end is a double bedroom with built-in wardrobe storage and direct access to the balcony via a glazed door.



A large bathroom with crisp, white tiles and a shower above a roll-top bath. There is also a utility room beside the front entrance, with space for hanging coats just outside it.



Outdoor Space



The apartment has an exceptionally large south-facing balcony, differentiating it from the majority of the other apartments in the building.



There is shared access to a sun deck on the top floor of the building. Views here are sweeping, encompassing the long Brighton promenade and expansive English Channel.



The building also has a communal library and laundrette for residents’ use. Parking lies at the rear of the building; this apartment has a designated space.



The Area



Embassy Court is seconds from the beach and a short walk from all that Brighton has to offer. The culinary scene has become increasingly rich in recent years, from Western Road to the bohemian quarter of the North Laines and the Lanes - two sought-after independent shopping areas famous for their vast array of antique and retro shops and independent boutiques, including Utility, Snooper's Paradise. Bincho Yakitori is around the corner, on Preston Street, along with Halisco.



A short walk along the promenade is Kemptown, known for its cafés and delis, bars and pubs. The Open Bakery sells freshly baked bread and pastries along with brilliant coffee. It also runs baking courses on Sundays. Busby and Wilds and The Ivy offer great options for dinner, with more award-winning independent and traditional restaurants in Brighton’s centre. There is also Brighton Beach House, part of the Soho House Group.



The historical charm of neighbouring Lewes, as well as the natural beauty of the South Downs, are both within 10 miles of Embassy Court.



The area is well-renowned for its schools. Brighton College, with its prep and award-winning senior school, is within walking distance. St Margaret’s CofE, Our Lady of Lourdes RC, and Cardinal Newman RC are all close.



Brighton and Hove train stations are both around a mile away and collectively offer up to 10 direct trains an hour to various London stations, each taking just over an hour. Direct services to London run regularly, with journey times of around 50 minutes. There are also fast links to Gatwick airport, and the A23 and A27 are readily accessible.



Tenure: Leasehold / Lease Length: Approx. 949 years remaining / Service Charge: Approx. £3,564 per annum / Ground Rent: Approx. £70 per annum / Council Tax Band: C



Embassy Court is currently undergoing a three-year programme of major works, for which an additional service charge of approx. £8,052 per annum will be due. The first year's payment will be paid by the existing reserve fund.