Well this is a trip down memory lane. This is a two bedroom flat in the building where I trained to be a journalist (many, many, and then some, moons ago). It’s in St Leonard’s on Sea, which is right next door to Hastings for those who don’t know their geography round there, and it’s on the market for £250,000 via The Modern House.
It’s such a cool building, which, just in case you weren’t paying attention, was designed in the 1930s to resemble the Queen Mary, a transatlantic cruise ship, and it dominates the sea front. Bombed during WWII it hasn’t always been terribly well looked after but in recent years efforts have been made to repair the restore the external appearance.
It’s fourteen stories high and was, when it was finished, the tallest residential building in the UK. This flat is on the sixth floor which is high enough to have a great view of the sea but not a total disaster if the lift breaks. It has been fully restored by the current owner to try and keep as many original features as possible.
The, slightly, bad news – from a financial point of view at least, is that the management of the building has been taken over by the residents who are working to have the exterior fully restored. This means that there is currently a service charge of £2,789.63 every six months but this is scheduled to be reduced by 25 per cent next year.
A price worth paying to live in one of the most famous buildings in the UK?
Now where? We’ve had history and beach already so what could possibly compete with that? How about a massive converted warehouse that looks like a tiny Victorian house from the outside. Yes, people, we have found the Tardis. Come…
It is, I think you’ll agree, fairly unprepossessing from the outside. But go through the front door and it opens up into a four bedroom house with huge open plan spaces and an integral double garage.
In the hall there is lots of storage for coats – surely the modern family’s eternal bugbear – as well as a utility room and cloakroom. The hall leads to the kitchen with all that glazing while the living space (above) leads onto a paved garden. With a Sauna.
Upstairs the master bedroom has its own sitting area and there’s a huge roof terrace as well.
Sold yet? It’s served by Harlesden underground but the high speed HS2 is scheduled to stop nearby which will give fast links to London Euston and the north of England. The price, should you be interested is £2,050,000 and it’s on with The Modern House.
As for me – I’m currently rather sold on the idea of a turquoise sofa to add a splash of colour. What do you think?
So where are we moving this week? Central or Seaside? Vote in the comments below.
Both! Love the turquoise sofa as well. Great post.
I’m a seaside girl, so I’d have to stay sea side but that mid century apartment is beautiful but I know within minutes I’d be putting my ecletic mish mash stamp on it and ruin the whole look!
Rare for me but I will be off to the seaside.
seaside winning today for me, probably as the sun is shining!
Central of course!!!
That first building is amazing. Doesn’t it have some cool name? The apartment itself is pretty basic but it would be great to have sea views, though it’s too bad it doesn’t have a balcony. I guess the sand is close enough. On the other hand, a place down the street, with views of both the sea AND this building would be even better.
I love the surprise behind the façade of the second one. A skylit kitchen is so nice. I would spend all my time there, with the light and the view of the garden. They did a great job of making the most of the space, on a practical and aesthetic level.
I like the turquoise sofa, but I’d prefer if you got it and invited me over a lot.