Once in a lifetime a unique opportunity appears and this hidden, Georgian Villa is a beauty with twin towers at each end of a majestic, bay fronted wing which opens to a rare, south facing garden.

Almost invisible, it is tucked away behind a gated courtyard at the heart, but out of hearing of Kemptown Village, a sought after area bordered by beaches and which hosts one of the best schools in the country, Brighton College, and the hospital.

With a total of 249.8m2 this grand home with glorious proportions is sensitively divided into three two bedroom apartments; a lower floor ‘garden apartment’ spans the full width and depth of the building, a ‘ground floor apartment’ spreads across the central wing into the east tower, and also has access to the garden, and the ‘tower apartment’ is within the west tower, with only the living room in the central section on the first floor.

Sharing the main entrance hall it would be easy to amalgamate all three apartments, or a combination thereof, into a breathtaking home, or keep separate for multi generational families or those looking for that extra space working from home. There is absolutely nothing that you want to change about the beautiful, private paradise that is one of the few south facing gardens in this historic quarter of the city.

A jewel in Kemptown’s architectural crown as it is, each apartment has elegant living space, kitchens large enough for dining and stylish bathrooms. Simply by leaving the doors open to the ground floor and tower apartment you have a five bedroom mansion with four stately receptions, two bathrooms and two kitchens (one for the au pair) with a self- contained 2 bedroom annexe downstairs, ideal for inter-generational living or as a home office if you were thinking of working from home.

With a number of possibilities, this could become a remarkable family home. In a fabulous location you can enjoy this coastal city’s unique lifestyle to the full as it is less than 200 yards from the seafront and has the famous café culture of Kemptown Village at the end of the gated courtyard. Secured by answer phone you only initially see the first of the towers from the gate and it is worth heading straight through the magnificent entrance hall to the garden, where the full glory of this beautiful building – and its rare, south facing oasis- can be seen.

The ground floor apartment:

With a firm focus on the south side of the house all of the main rooms have glorious views of the garden. Beautiful proportions combine with refined decoration to bring Regency Brighton to life in twin receptions of classical beauty, originally designed for impressive entertaining and restful to return to after a long day in the city. Windows set into deep bays frame verdant views and stretch almost from the wood floor to a soaring ceiling adorned by a frieze of fruiting vine. With ample space to share, in winter evening central doors can fold together to create two private sanctuaries with a choice of lighting levels, and an open fireplace in one will welcome you home.

All of the original doors have been retained, so these rooms can be reached from the communal hall or an inner passageway with natural light, at the other end of which a door leads to the east tower and a stunning kitchen/diner which celebrates friendship and its recent conversion with colourful built in seating by the south window. Streamlined units topped by stylish zinc surfaces conceal sophisticated storage and high spec appliances include a gas hob, combi and fan ovens, dishwasher and washing machine.

At the top of the stairs, a bathroom embraces the past whilst enjoying a 21st century luxury finish with a classic roll top baignoir, twin hand basins and a separate walk in shower. Close by, the master bedroom spans the full depth of the central wing, so has windows at both front and back. Quiet, comfortable and with impressive floorspace even with a large double bed in it, there is also a whole wall of wardrobes to enjoy.

Private and peaceful at the top of the tower, a vaulted second bedroom with painted beams, Velux in the high roof line and two windows which open to a sea of gardens, full of birdsong.

The private garden:

Outside, it is easy to forget that you are in the heart of an international costal resort in a restful, leafy retreat surrounded by neighbouring gardens and made private by mature shrubs and trees. South facing it has the sun all day, the lawn is large and level for games and a raised seating area looks west for the setting sun, is shaded by vines and scented by roses and seasonal climbers.

Reached from the ground floor via steps from a sun soaked veranda and/or a door to the lower floor, skilful planting provides delightful all year interest and there is an interesting local legend which may explain why there is a gate from this Villa, which some still remember as Rokesley Towers, to the aristocratic seafront mansion Rokesley House behind….

The tower apartment:

At the top of the original, sweeping staircase, this charming apartment is still seamlessly joins the house, and light and airy with high ceilings it would be a dream for an au pair or older children! At the front of the tower the contemporary kitchen has space for dining and the freestanding appliances could be removed to create a third bedroom or stay, subject to circumstance.

Along an arched hallway into the central wing, a spacious living room with glimpses of the sea has traditional cabinets and shelving, and a spacious modern bathroom with a shower above the bath is at the foot of stairs leading up the tower and a vaulted landing with two, peaceful bedrooms, neither of which are directly overlooked.

The garden apartment:

With its own private entrance from the communal hall, this apartment spans the full length of this substantial property, and although downstairs, built in an age reliant on natural light it has plenty of it with big windows in all of the rooms (save the bathroom) looking across the garden. The large hallway has space for storage and a cavern which was apparently once part of a bakery serving the house and Village and opposite, the bright and cheerful kitchen has an integrated gas hob and electric oven, plumbing for a washing machine and space for a table by the door to the garden.

Three large rooms, all with cupboards line the south side of the property offering versatile use and a modern bathroom if you are looking for an annexe for a family member, interested in producing an income or wanting to create a fabulous, family kitchen diner with a playroom and guest suite.

Agent says:

“This is a rare, historic find which has not been on the market for many years. Exceptional as it is, it still offers unlimited possibilities inside and has a beautiful garden to the south.”

Owner says:

“We have loved the quiet privacy and gracious rooms, the restful garden and views of the sea. Designed as a stylish coastal home to bring friends to, we have certainly enjoyed entertaining here at any time of year. Although very private and peaceful, you are never far from a coffee or a freshly baked croissant and the village has everything else you need from a barbers to a hardware store, but you can also stroll to the arts venues and restaurants of the Lanes.”

Where it is:

Shops: Kemptown Village 1 minute, The Lanes 10 minute walk, 5 by bus

Train Station: Brighton 10- 15 minutes by bus

Seafront or Park: Seafront 2 minutes, Queen’s Park 10 on foot

Closest Schools:

Primary: St Luke’s, Queen’s Park

Secondary: Varndean or Dorothy Stringer

Private: Brighton College, Brighton Steiner School, Roedean, Brighton & Hove High

Kemptown Village is bordered by beaches with a vibrant mix of cafés, shops, restaurants and amenities. Local schools are good and one of the best private schools in the country, Brighton College, is a 3 minute stroll. Within minutes of the international shopping, restaurants, cinemas and theatres of the famous Lanes, this beautiful property is convenient for the hospital as well as the garden of St George’s Church which hosts an organic farmer’s market and arts events occasionally. The whole city is easy to reach on foot, by bus or by car, the station with its fast links to Gatwick and London is 10-15 minutes by bus and there is no waiting list for permit zone H.