Formally the ballroom of a commanding grade II listed building, this palatial one-bedroom apartment spans 1,200 sq ft. Known as ‘Caple ne Ferne’, derived from the Norman ‘Chapel in the Woods’, the style of the house is reminiscent of the architecture of Northern France. Set within extensive private grounds, the building is approached via a sweeping wooded driveway, opening onto lawns and decorative borders in front of the house. The apartment, which is the largest of the eight that occupy the building, also has an established private garden, verdant with tetrapanax and ferns and bordered by a large stone loggia.
Internally, the space is characterised by a clever juxtaposition of contemporary details and impressive period features. The vast living space is the focal point of the plan with soaring ceilings, swathes of original panelling and striking chevron oak flooring. A wall of full-height leaded windows line the south facing elevation, dappling the kitchen and dining area with ambient natural light. The arrangement of the kitchen lends itself to entertaining, with a marble-topped connected island sitting adjacent to the generous dining area; functionality is optimised through the addition of a bank of bespoke cabinetry, housing Bosch appliances and neatly integrated storage. The expansive living area provides ample room for sumptuous seating arrangements and relaxed socialising.
A set of original oak doors lead to a broad internal corridor, creating a peaceful partition between the primary living area and the tranquil sleeping quarters. The double bedroom is a quiet and calm room with lead casement windows, by which the high canopy of the apartment’s private courtyard garden can be seen. Subtly Integrated wardrobes finished in neutral tones provide plentiful storage. The period elegance of the bathroom has been conserved through the retention of original ceramic tiles and added to with a suite of traditional bathware and black marble shelving.
The internal and external parts of the property are interlinked through a large stone loggia, with Greek Doric pillars, through which the garden is accessed. This space provides an idyllic yet functional outdoor dining area from which to view the garden, with its lush, architectural planting. In addition to copious outdoor areas, the apartment has a private parking space conveniently located at the front of the building.
As the beach and town centre are both a ten-minute walk from the apartment, Albany Road is perfectly positioned for enjoyment of the Regency seaside town of St Leonards-on-Sea. The ever expanding selection of independent restaurants, shops and cafes has made St Leonards an increasingly popular destination; some excellent recent additions include Bayte, The Royal and Kino-Teatr.
The vibrant neighbouring town of Hastings is easily reachable by foot and has many of its own cultural offerings, including Hastings Contemporary Gallery with its world-class modern and contemporary art programme. Further afield you’ll find the pretty beaches of Fairlight and Pett Level.
Connections by train from St Leonards Warrior Square station are excellent. Direct trains run to both London Bridge and Charing Cross with a journey time of around an hour and a half, while trains also run to Brighton with a journey time of around an hour
