Semi-detached house for sale in Buxton Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN1

Guide price: £1,200,000--£1,250,000.

Internal viewings available on request.

Stunning period home.

Rarely available.

Chain free.

One of only a few beautiful homes in the city designed by renowned architect Thomas Simpson 1894-1895, this semi-detached, 5 double bed house radiates charm from the leafy oasis at the front to the sunny, tranquil garden at the back. Lovingly restored to its former glory, magnificent period features include stately fireplaces, intricate plaster work and both box and curved bays, whilst sympathetic, contemporary design delivers a high spec, luxury home for a 21st century lifestyle. Within a quiet terrace of Victorian houses in walking distance of popular Stanford Junior and Infant schools as well as local amenities including the playground, tennis courts and open air theatre of Dyke Road Park, it is also convenient for Brighton Station’s direct trains to Gatwick and London (15-20 mins on foot).

An architectural gem with intricate terracotta detail on the front of the building, inside an elegant 166.1m2 (1788 sq. Ft.) over 3 storeys includes a classically beautiful living dining room of glorious proportions with original friezes and matching black stone fireplaces for gas or real fires, and a sociable, sun-lit kitchen breakfast room folds open to the private, walled garden which is not directly overlooked. Upstairs, a quiet bedroom lined with custom storage for guests is by the fabulous, Fired Earth bathroom and on the first floor, the second of the double bedrooms has space, grace and a fabulous fireplace. Spanning the front of the house, the principal bedroom is a delight to return to with restful proportions and wardrobes on each side of the Victorian fireplace. Up on the top floor, the large bedroom at the back has inspirational views over a sea of gardens whilst at the front, the fifth bedroom is a secluded sanctuary with a design-led shower room to enjoy.

Port Hall is a hot favourite with professionals and families within walking or bus distance of good schools, both state and private, and an outstanding 6th form college. There’s a choice of parks – as well as Dyke Road, both Preston Park and St Anne’s Wells Gardens sports facilities and green spaces (which host events during our festivals) are easy to get to and the vibrant North Laine and city centre and sea are within a 15-20 minute stroll. Ideal if you commute by bus or car, Dyke Road will take you into or out of the city in minutes, and 7 Dials, just up the road has 7 ways to get to the whole of Brighton and Hove.

Style Rare Thomas Simpson semi-detached house circa 1894-95
Type 5 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1 en-suite) + gf w.c., living dining room, kitchen breakfast room
Area Port Hall
Floor Area 1788 sq.ft.
Outside Space Front garden, east landscaped garden
Parking Permit Zone Q
Council Tax Band D

Why you’ll like it:
Between leafy Dyke Road Park and the open acres of Preston Park with easy access to the sea as well as into or out of the city, this is one of the most desirable areas of our vibrant city. These rare Simpson houses in this tree lined terrace are larger than most within this historic enclave and do not appear on the market often. There’s pedestrian access to Stanford Junior School from nearby Coventry Street, Stanford Infant and Windlesham Prep are also a stroll and local amenities include a convenience store, café and bistro pub.

Brought back to life by the current owners, all improvements have been in keeping with the character of the house to create the only house within the terrace with 5 bedrooms and two bathrooms + a w.c. And include: The top floor extension 2019, new family bathroom, new boiler, radiators, the installation of dimmer switches throughout and new flooring approx. 2020.

The Entrance Hall:
This stately house with immediate appeal has unique architectural detail and the impressive entrance (with a side gate for bikes) is reached through a front garden planted for privacy and scent. Inside has a stylish commitment to style, comfort and practicality and it begins in the entrance lobby with rush matting underfoot and intricate plasterwork overhead opens to a hushed hallway with a guest w.c. Tucked away and solid wood floorboards which continues through into the living dining room for an easy flow.

The Living Dining Room:
Built in an age reliant on natural light, sunlight streams through a beautifully proportioned living dining room which has been opened to create an inviting space ideal for entertaining or family time. There is a welcoming gas fire in one of the two stately fireplaces, and an open fire in the companion fireplace, original friezes decorate the ceilings of both the living and dining room, and with leafy views through the front box bay as well as the large sash window, you can relax in rare seclusion – and it is open to the glamorous kitchen breakfast room, ideal for entertaining.

The Kitchen Breakfast Room and Garden:
Embracing friends, family and an al fresco lifestyle, this sun-lit kitchen breakfast room spans 3.41 x 7.11m (11’2 x 23’4). Sensitively extended with the chimney breast converted into a home for the high-spec, 5 ring Baumatic gas hob, grill, oven and hood, this dream space works well for everyday but is also perfect for parties with floor to ceiling doors folding away to the dynamic landscaping of the garden where the dining deck is level with the house – a feature hard to find in a city built on the South Downs.

Skilfully designed to flow around a central island with easy access to power for appliances, its gleaming granite surface continues throughout the kitchen. Custom coloured units provide sophisticated storage which includes a pull out larder and plumbing is in place for a dishwasher, washing machine and dryer, which the vendors are willing to discuss.

Outside, the leafy garden is a tranquil retreat surrounded by other gardens. A delight to return to, and larger than many this close to the city centre and the sea, it is a private refuge which is child and pet secure behind walls and statement fencing. Expertly landscaped to allow for storage but most importantly to be sociable, a dining deck level with the house has space for a large table and a water source, and shallow steps rise to a large lawn, scented by a mature apple tree, lavender and rosemary and ingeniously planted to ensure privacy, all year interest, and low maintenance, so you will have more time to take pleasure in it.

The First Double Bedroom and Bathroom:
At the top of stairs lushly carpeted with thick underlay so you won’t hear a thing, the first of the bedrooms is bright and cheerful with inspiring garden views. On the first landing, with 3.56 x 3.75m (11’8 x 12’3) it is lined with bespoke wardrobes making it the perfect dressing room or a generous bedroom for a teenager, visitor or an au-pair where the occupants can come and go without disturbing the main bedrooms - and the bonus is that it is next to the luxury bathroom.
With a classic high end finish the pale grey and marble bathroom by Fired Earth is light and airy with a dual head shower above the designer bathtub which includes a shelf with downlighters to highlight the feature tiles, natural light, a warming rail for towels, underfloor heating, inset mirrored unit with hidden charge points and a glamorous lit mirror above the Duravit hand basin which has a stylish vanity unit beneath it.

The First Floor Bedroom and Principal Room:
Up a few steps, the second double bedroom has plenty of character and space of its own with a period fireplace, 3.26 x 3.62m (10’8 x 11’10) to spread your wings and garden views.

At the front of the house, the wonderful principal bedroom spans the full width of this substantial property with 5.04 x 4.58m (16’7 x 15’0) in which to unwind. With the restful proportions only a period home can deliver, a handsome, Victorian fireplace with framing, fitted wardrobes and romantic floral frieze, the decoration is in soothing historic hues and a broad bay window as well as tall window with shutters almost fill the front wall to flood the room with light and frame the tree, obliquely outside, which provides shelter for little birds.

The Top Floor Double Bedrooms, One En-Suite:
Blissfully quiet at the top of the house, the spacious bedroom at the back is a serene sanctuary with new oak flooring underfoot. Light pours through the large picture window with views over a sea of gardens and it is used at present as a comfortable place in which to work from home. Originally designed as an alternative principal bedroom, there is 3.28 x 3.79m (10’9 x 12’5) to enjoy.

At the front, with an unusual, smoothly curved bay, a beautiful precursor to the later Art Deco style, the sunny fifth bedroom has open views and fitted wardrobes to fill. In winter, there are glimpses to the rooftop of outstanding bhasvic 6th Form College and the chic en-suite bathroom beneath a Velux has a designer finish.

Agent Says:
“Homes in this tranquil enclave of beautiful period properties do not appear on the market very often, and this is by Simpson – who also designed the school around the corner. Inside is exceptionally stylish so you won’t need to change anything, and convenient for the city and stations serving Gatwick and London, family life is also effortless with parks, good schools and café culture of 7 Dials on the doorstep.”

Owner’s Secret:
“We loved bringing this beautiful house back to life and it was our family home for a happy 10 years. We wanted to keep the beautiful features of this unique property, designed by one of Brighton’s most important architects, but also needed a comfortable home with an easy flow where we could welcome friends. Family life is easy with parks, good schools and shops all within easy reach (and The Chimney House around the corner – out of hearing- does great food, too!). The house is warm in winter, airy in summer and the garden is private and peaceful – and the apple tree gives us all the fruit we need! This is a great place to live with a friendly community, considerate neighbours who have become friends and the al fresco lifestyle of 7 Dials – and its 7 ways to the entire city – is a 3 minute drive, or under 10 mins on foot. If you want a healthy lifestyle, the sea, Hove Lawns with keep fit classes etc., the water sports of the Lagoon, boat trips and berths of the Marina, and the National Park are all about a 10 mins drive.”

Where it is:
Shops: Local 2 mins walk, 7 Dials 7-10 min walk, 3 by car, North Laine 20 on foot
Station: Brighton 15-20 to walk, approx. 7-10 by cab
Seafront or park: Dyke Road Park 1 min walk, Preston Park 4 by car, seafront under 10 mins
Closest schools:
Primary: Stanford Junior, Stanford Infant
Secondary: Varndean, Dorothy Stringer
Sixth Form: Bhasvic, Varndean
Private: Windlesham, Lancing Prep, Brighton Ballet School, Brighton College, Brighton Girls<br /><br />15-20 mins walk from the station with direct trains to Lewes, Gatwick and London with local buses covering the whole of Brighton and Hove, this quiet enclave has its own good infant and junior schools as well as shops, café, bistro pub and a park around the corner. Just minutes from the al fresco lifestyle of 7 Dials and North Laine the picturesque Royal Pavilion, its historic Lanes and surrounding arts venues are easy to reach. For those who love the outdoors, the beach, surrounding downland and marina with waterfront restaurants are quick to reach. If you commute by car, Dyke Road gives swift access into the city centre or out to the A23/A27 for the coast, Lewes, Gatwick and London.