Preston Park Avenue, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1

GUIDE PRICE: £450,000--£460,000.

SHARE OF FREEHOLD.

STUNNING VIEWS OVER PRESTON PARK FROM THE MAIN LIVING ROOM AND OFFICE ROOM/BEDROOM TWO.

WEST FACING BALCONY WITH VIEWS OVER THE PARK.

COMMUNAL GARDENS TO THE REAR.

RARELY AVAILABLE.

INTERNAL VIEWINGS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

A private jewel in a glorious, double fronted Victorian Villa opposite the green acres and sports facilities of Preston Park, this spacious 2 bed apartment on the prime 1st floor has generous period proportions and a luxury finish. With stunning park views from the elegant living dining room, it has a private balcony from the study/guest bedroom which looks over picture perfect views, and there is also access to one of the most charming (and largest) communal gardens we have seen. A short walk through the park to the amenities of Preston Village (including a small Sainsbury’s) there is also a choice of stations within a 15-20 walk – two with direct trains to London, and another to the Universities and Lewes. Ideal for professionals, investors or a small family, this impressive property has an in/out drive for unloading and plentiful permit parking with no waiting list in a prime location given a top spot in the Sunday Times best places to live guide.

Soaring over the park with open, leafy views front and back, this sun filled apartment has light and space. There’s a beautiful, original fireplace in the impressive living dining room where the broad west bay frames the unique parkland setting. A discreet hatch is open to the streamlined, bespoke kitchen ideal for entertaining, and ingenious design includes a utility area. Well placed for the principal bedroom as well as visitors, a design -led bathroom has both a bath and a separate walk in shower. At the front, the generous guest room is also an ideal study which sweeps out to a balcony with a bird’s eye view of Lime Walk. At the back, the restful principal bedroom is inviting with stylish built in storage and views over the large communal garden.

Preston Park has open spaces, a playground and café as well as plenty of sports facilities, park runs on Saturday and also hosts events from Foodie festivals to Pride. An ideal location whatever you’re into, with easy access to good schools from primary to 6th form, the shops, bistro pubs and cafes of Preston Village and Fiveways are also in easy reach. These fabulous homes in the golden triangle of countryside, city centre and the sea don’t come to the market often as London Road runs along the foot of the valley for quick access to the historic centre, its beaches or the A23/27, whilst Ditchling and Dyke Roads topping opposite sides of the valley take you to the heart of Brighton, Hove or the South Downs National Park.


In Brief:
Style Detached, double fronted Victorian villa, SOF
Type 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, living dining room, kitchen
Area Preston Park
Floor Area 791 sq.ft
Outside Space Front garden, large communal gardens to rear
Parking, Permit Zone J, no waiting list
Council Tax Band C

Why You’ll Like It:
Quiet and convenient with zone J permit parking which extends from Preston Park to the village shops at Fiveways (if you don’t want to walk) as well as to the Level at the foot of the North Laine, this is one of the most sought after areas of the city with local bus routes into or out of Brighton and Hove. On a large plot, this double fronted beauty comes with a share of the freehold. The building is well maintained, with the roof overhauled a few years ago, and we are told that funding is in place for the refurbishment of the communal ways.

On the market for the first time in 25 years, this apartment on the prime first floor enjoys uninterrupted views of Preston Park and spans one side of the building from east to west. This majestic, detached villa is set privately up and back from the avenue which has direct access to the park behind a mature front garden with an in/out drive for unloading (1st come basis). With broad box bays and west facing balconies on two floors the approach is impressive, and wide steps rise to a magnificent stained glass front door flanked by original painted windows – and which benefits from a secure entry system.

The hushed communal hall features a decorative ceiling and the Victorian staircase leads up to the entrance to this apartment. Inside, the welcoming hallway has ample space for organised storage, and the high ceiling of over 3m continues through into a stunning living dining room.

Gracious period proportions deliver plenty of versatile space to share where friends and family can enjoy glorious, uninterrupted views over Preston Park which change with the seasons. The broad box bay almost fills the west wall to bathe the room in light; the decoration is subtle to keep the focus of the room firmly on the uniquely beautiful location and there is a handsome fireplace to admire.

Central to the apartment, the kitchen has light and space. A study of great, contemporary design this streamlined kitchen delivers plenty of sophisticated storage, practical working surfaces and an ingenious utility area complete with a dishwasher, washing machine and pull out larder. Good to go, high quality appliances include a touch induction hob and fan oven beneath a discreet hood as well as a microwave and there is a hatch to the living dining room, perfect for parties.

At the front of the apartment with inspiring views over the park, guests will love the first of the restful double bedrooms which is ready to move into. Also ideal as a place from which to work from home, doors sweep open to a sunny balcony which looks over the leafy acres of Preston Park – and it’s a dream spot from which to watch the sunsets.

Blissfully quiet and private at the back of the apartment, the principal bedroom has mesmerising garden views and inviting proportions. The big window brings in the morning sunlight and frames the peaceful setting; there is ample space in which to unwind and a whole wall of stylish, floor to ceiling wardrobes offer all the organised storage you could dream of. Next door, the meticulous attention to detail continues in the bathroom, raised to allow for the utility area beneath but with such a high ceiling the space isn’t compromised. The contemporary suite has high end fittings including designer warming rails for towels and there is room for both a sunken bath and separate, walk in shower with a luxury dual head system.

The steps to the big communal garden are tucked away behind a side gate. Hidden within historic hedging, a secret gate leads to a second garden, as large as the first, ideal for private picnics with a small orchard of fruit trees including apple and pear - and if you have green fingers, you may be able to create beds here to provide fruit and vegetables for the table, stc.

Agent says:
“In one of the most exclusive avenues within this prestigious area as it is directly opposite Preston Park, you are tucked away but in the golden triangle where you can enjoy the best of our city with fashionable shopping, bars, restaurants and theatres as well as the sea easy to reach. The apartment is large enough to work from home, or if you commute, the station is nearby.”

Owner’s secret:
“We have loved the light and the space in the apartment. Quiet and friendly, so you won’t feel isolated if you’re new to the south coast, the building is exceptionally beautiful and the gardens are lovely to return to after a hot day on the beach or busy day in the city. The park has a lovely community of walkers and runners as well as a café, and the location is hard to beat with everything you need on the doorstep- but out of hearing.”

What’s around you
Shops: Preston Village with small Sainsbury’s 2 minutes by car, 5-10 on foot through the park
Station: Preston Park 10-15 minutes on foot, 4 by car, 6 by bike
Seafront or Park: Preston Park opposite, Seafront about 10 by car

Closest schools
Primary: St Bernadette’s RC, Balfour
Secondary: Dorothy Stringer, Varndean
Private: Brighton College, Brighton Girls, Lewes Old Grammar School

This exclusive avenue with direct access to the park is also within minutes of international shopping, restaurants, cinemas, bistro pubs and the beach. Conveniently located for Preston Park Station and the A23/A27 –for commuters who need to reach Gatwick, the Amex Stadium, universities and London- it feels a world away from the city in this open leafy setting. Preston Park is the largest urban park in the city with a café, running routes, tennis courts, velodrome and football pitches as well as open green spaces which host famous events during our legendary festivals. Well connected, the commercial districts and cultural heart of Brighton & Hove are easy to reach by bus or cab.