£275,000

Marina, St Leonards-on-Sea TN38

Sublime First Floor Apartment with Jaw Dropping Sea Views

Once home to the Italian Attache to Queen Victoria, this ambassadorial East Sussex seaside property was converted into apartments in the first half of the 20th Century allowing an astounding one bedroom property to lavishly sprawl over the entire first floor. The building was designed with grand intentions in 1850 by one of the most eminent and widely celebrated Victorian architects Decimus Burton who was continuing the work his father had started a generation before. Glorious period features and an uninterruptible panoramic seascape and balcony will take your breath away and there's a beautifully presented (and vast) private rear garden too. St Leonards-on-Sea sits west of Hastings with miles of beautiful beaches, national parks and wonderful Victorian and late Regency village charm. Whether it’s for a sea side getaway or a permanent home, this space will captivate you from the first glance. As homes go, this is truly an over achiever at every step.

Enter at raised ground floor level into a majestic entrance hallway with a grand staircase leading you to the apartment's first floor entrance. The inner hall will greet you with beautifully ornate oak parquet flooring which continues on into the incredulously fabulous reception room and bedroom. 4.2 metre high ceilings sport their original gold leaf cornicing, ceiling rose and musician cherubs. Facing forward you'll bask in a flood of natural light which is supplied by three sea facing floor to ceiling windows. Double doors open onto the wide and spacious balcony which promises a faultless summer sipping spot. Back inside, an original white marble mantel graces the left wall with impressive and ornate detail. Overhead, the gilt frieze and cornice work is simply stunning and clearly displays the benefits of a loving restoration. Italianate Giltwood pelmets and huge original shutters adorn the magnificent reception space. The bedroom sits off the main hall with another cracking fireplace, original white marble mantel and more irresistible gold leaf cornicing. The rear facing casement bears its original shutters and supplies the first glimpse of the private garden and the cliff beyond - a very private view indeed.

Through a door to the rear of the hall you'll descend a mini flight of deep wooden steps to find access to the striking contemporary Philippe Starck bathroom which dons dark French mosaic tiles to walls and floor. The kitchen takes the rear spot with embossed rubber flooring, Bulthaup stainless steel work stations and a further sash which frames a pretty garden vista. The rear door leads you via a raised patio area down to the generous gravel bed garden with large classical terracotta pots planted with bay and box. Another level is planted with various shrubs and flowering plants with an area for seating and enjoying the peace of the cliff and its wildlife.

The recently English Heritage restored and listed St Leonards Gardens, by Decimus Burton, is a ten minute walk away and the Hastings Country Park, a vast and extraordinary landscape that runs for miles along the coast, is only a couple of miles eastwards. The town is awash with traditional pubs, restaurants and hotels as well as some charming winding streets that beg to be explored. A blue plaque trail will make sure you see all the points of interest and there are a plethora of food and music festivals throughout the year. You can get to London by car or train in about 90 minutes and handsome Hastings is but a short hop.

The following details have been provided by the vendor and have not been verified.

Tenure: Share of Freehold

Service Charge: TBC

Ground Rent: TBC

Approximate Gross Internal Area: 90 square metres / 969 square feet