Those who are lucky enough to live near the sea enjoy its thrilling combination of natural beauty, drama and solitude. Anna Bowden examines some attractive seaside options for home buyers.
Homes beside the seaside are going at premium rates these days, with buyers attracted by their stunning surroundings, the views they offer and the peace and tranquillity afforded by a home on the edge of the world. Here we take a look at some new home developments that offer all of these fantastic options as well as a great specification.
Merlion Housing currently has five homes remaining for sale at Richmond Terrace, part of the stunning Victorian conversion of Brighton’s former technical college, as part of its Assisted Purchase Scheme, a shared equity plan which enables home owners on a small budget to purchase an apartment within this stunning development. Available homes include three one-bedroom properties priced from £99,950 and two two-bedroom properties starting from £149,950. In both cases the purchaser has a 75 per cent share of equity; unlike many schemes, however, Merlion does not require rent to be paid on the remaining 25 per cent.
Richmond Terrace is ideally placed, overlooking a central park which connects it with the sea front, within easy reach of the Royal Pavilion, the West Pier and the famous Lanes, a collection of historic cobbled streets boasting an eclectic mix of antique shops, cafés and restaurants. For a quieter time, the development is also within easy reach of the park.
Specification at Richmond Terrace is high, both internally and externally, with large windows remaining from the original 1897 design creating a bright and airy environment. All properties boast gas central heating, fully fitted kitchen with oven, hob and extractor hood, flooring throughout and ceramic bathroom tiles.
For further information call selling agent Halifax on 01273 558661.
Gleeson Classic Homes is now offering two prestigious developments near Hove’s famous coastline – Palmeira Grande and Salisbury Court. The latter, which is newly launched, will, when complete, provide just 14 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments; all will boast high specification interiors and some will offer Juliet balconies. Ground floor flats will offer gardens.
The former, Palmeira Grande, also offers 14 apartments – including a luxury four-bedroom four-bathroom penthouse with restricted access via the main lift. The development has a restored Grade II listed façade as well as high ceilings, arched French doors that open onto the lounge to expose the period balustrade, and all apartments benefit from en suite bathrooms with twin sinks and separate bath and shower. Some apartments also boast a walk-in wardrobe to the master bedroom, plus master en suite.
Both developments are located a short stroll from the promenade at Kingsway. Alan Day, sales and marketing director for Gleeson Classic Homes, comments, ‘Just about everything is within easy walking distance of both developments. It is just one block away from the sea front, and shops, restaurants, sports and leisure facilities and even the railway station at Hove are all within easy reach. The apartments in both developments are of the highest specification, with crisp white bathroom suites and superb kitchens with all mod cons. There is even underfloor heating in both developments, and the penthouse at Palmeira Grande has its own air management system to maintain a constant temperature.’
Guide prices for Salisbury Court start from £175,000, while remaining apartments at Palmeira Grande currently start from £279,950. For further details or to register interest call selling agents Mishon Mackay on 01273 829300.
Redrow Homes has now introduced a selection of 22 desirable one- and two-bedroom apartments to St Mary’s Park in Bexhill-on-Sea, following on from the success of the development’s detached family homes. Paul Moran, sales director, says, ‘St Mary’s Park has already attracted large numbers of customers with its spacious family-sized three-, four- and five-bedroom detached homes. The introduction of apartments will bring the development within easy reach of first-timer buyers and young professionals, whilst also appealing to the investor market. We’ve already taken the first reservations and there is a lot of interest in the remaining properties, which are due to be ready to move into in the early summer.’
The apartments are being built in two attractive Georgian style blocks, using a mix of red brick and stone-effect masonry and including decorative quoins and sills plus sash-effect double glazed windows.
The interior specification is high, with contemporary open plan living rooms and kitchens, including stainless steel oven, hob and cooker hood, plus washer/dryer. Ground floor apartments feature Georgian style French doors opening onto the communal garden area, and the main bedroom of each property includes fitted wardrobes. Bathrooms boast contemporary white suites and chrome finish fittings, and the apartments benefit from electric heating throughout.
St Mary’s Park is situated off Gunters Lane; built on land formerly owned by Bexhill Sixth Form College, the development will eventually comprise approximately 200 new homes. Close to shops and only one mile from the town centre, the development is less than two hours from London and just 20 minutes from the popular new Eastbourne Marina.
Currently available homes include one- and two-bedroom apartments plus four- and five-bedroom detached homes. For more information call the marketing suite on 01424 215632.
Millwood Designer Homes is currently offering remarkable incentives at its exclusive Henley Park development at Sovereign Harbour North in Eastbourne, East Sussex. Home buyers who reserve and exchange an apartment before 31 March will have their stamp duty paid as well as receiving £6,500 towards the interior design of their new home.
Tony Lynn, sales and marketing manager for Millwood Designer Homes explains, ‘Discerning purchasers really can't afford to miss out on the current incentives at Henley Park, which allow them to escape a lot of the extra costs associated with buying a new home. All home buyers will literally have to worry about is what colour and style to have in their new home!’
The Henley Apartments benefit from a prime location within the harbour, with the hustle and bustle of the marina’s many bars and restaurants as well as the waterside gardens and boulevards just a few minutes away. Prices for the apartments start from £228,000. For further information call the marketing suite and show apartment, open daily from 10am to 5pm, on 01323 472882.
Gillcrest Homes is currently finalising plans for the construction of a magnificent collection of one- and two-bedroom luxury apartments on the beachfront in Sandgate, Kent. Development director Martin Wood says, ‘This is a prime site adjacent to the famous Sandgate Castle, which boasts uninterrupted views across the English Channel. We are pursuing a planning application lodged with Shepway Council and have worked extensively with them to ensure we can create a flagship development for Shepway.
‘The homes benefit from a high specification, including lifts, balconies and secure car parking, and being in such a unique setting will command a great deal of interest.’
The apartments are within easy walking distance of the thriving centre of Sandgate, with the town of Folkestone just a short drive away. The area boasts an excellent infrastructure, with the A20 connecting to the seaport of Dover and the M20 with Ashford and theM25.
For further details about this development, call Gillcrest Homes on 0845 130 0070.
Dragon Properties has just released its latest phase of two- and three-bedroom houses at Roundhill Mews on Belton Close, Brighton. Located in the Roundhill conservation area, these attractive homes offer the latest in contemporary living. The Shaker style home boasts a luxury fully fitted kitchen with integrated appliances including Neff electric oven, gas hob, extractor hood, fridge, freezer, washer/dryer and concealed dishwasher.
The homes also offer quality laminate flooring to the ground floors, with carpets and wardrobes fitted in the bedrooms as standard. Security alarms keep the homes safe, and with a private garden, off street parking and design by local architect Turner Associates, this development really is excellent value for money.
Tracy di Paola, new homes sales co-ordinator for selling agent Brand New Homes UK, says, ‘These are exceptional homes as they afford a superb high specification. The real wood flooring, luxury bathroom suites and the clever use of space with plenty of built-in cupboards and wardrobes all add to their appeal.
‘Most unusual is the fire sprinkler system, fitted to every room, in addition to the alarm system. Each home also boasts its own private garden to the rear and off-road parking, bordered by mature trees to the front.’
Dragon Properties is also offering purchasers who can complete by 31 March the opportunity to benefit from stamp duty paid. Prices at Roundhill Mews start from £249,950. For further information or viewing details call di Paola at Brand New Homes on 01903 787351 or visit website brandnewhomes.co.uk.
Finally, Hillreed Homes offers Durrington Mews, an exciting development of apartments and mews style homes currently under construction near Worthing, West Sussex. Each of the homes features attractive elevations and either personal garages or car ports.
Durrington Hill is an established residential area in High Salvington which is quiet but well connected, within easy reach of the Arundel Road, with its links to Chichester and Lewes, as well as easy access to the wonderful coastal resorts of Brighton, Worthing, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.
The stylish homes are energy-efficient and feature built-in wardrobes and Aqualisa showers. Those who reserve early have the opportunity to personalise their home with a choice of quality tiles, kitchen units and paint colours.
Interested parties can get a full-colour brochure by calling Hillreed Homes on 01403 264210. Also visit hillreed.co.uk.