Miami glamour on the Welsh coast

TO SECURE a sea view along the coastline in the popular town of Porthcawl is rare, and will cost a sixfigure sum or more, but it will be cheaper than the equivalent on the Miami coast. Plus there’s no need to find a passport to move in.

This contemporary, seven-bedroom, three-storey Miami-style mansion with sea views has come on the market with a price tag of £1.35m. The property is a relative ‘snip’ at £1.35m, although it’s unlikely to beat Miami in a sunny weather competition.

What the Welsh modern mansion can offer is walks along nearby Rest Bay, clifftop rambles, watching winter storms crash against the harbour wall and strolling along the Victorian promenade while enjoying a coffee or ice cream from one of the town’s many cafes and eateries.

Or the new owner could just relax on a lounger on the elevated second floor balcony and enjoy the sea view. And when the weather gets more like Wales than Florida, retreat indoors and watch the world go by through one of the huge walls of windows.

The property is a distinct, bespoke architecturallydesigned amazing home constructed to optimise the views, the light, and the spacious accommodation.

It does that externally through the vast windows, intriguing roofline that pays homage to a ship’s sails, and coastal blue panelling that gives the facade a beach-side style.

Internally too, this property boasts individuality at every corner, with attractive spots that demand you linger and enjoy the view inside, as well as outside.

One of the most pleasing places to pause is at the top of the stairwell at the very top of the house. From here you can look down to the floor below and to the corner of huge windows that offer multiple framed ‘artwork’ of the view outside.

Take the stairs down to the first floor and there’s a sofa on the large landing that is arguably the best spot inside the home to see the sea from two angles at the same time.

Cleverly, this ‘ wing’ of the home has been set back from the front facade, meaning a second corner of balconies and windows can ensure the view flows into as many other areas of the house as possible.

There’s the first floor corner balcony that is a private space for the occupants of the master bedroom, who can not only see the sea from their bed but can also enjoy the fresh sea breezes on the covered balcony.

One floor up and there’s a top floor balcony that fully embraces the sunshine, when it appears. This lightfilled, view-filled corner room, bedroom seven, is being used by the current owners as a home office and also an artist studio.

But the ground floor was not forgotten when this house was designed, with a continuing connection to the outside coastal world at its heart.

The kitchen, living and dining rooms all flow around a double set of bifold doors that allow two vast sections of the rear wall to disappear, to ensure seamless flow between indoors and outdoors.

Great design means the whole of one corner of the downstairs can open on to the patio, as well as the bank of bi-folds in the lounge area.

Even the hallway leading to the front door can boast floor-to-ceiling glass doors out onto the garden patio.

The downstairs is a classic ‘broken-plan’ design, opening out into distinct eating, lounging and cooking zones. But the existence of partial internal walls containing large openings into other spaces not only structurally keeps the upper storeys supported, it also means the spaces are connected visually and socially while retaining privacy and intimacy.

It’s evident that much thought has been given to how an owner would live in this three-storey home.

The internal lift would very handy if the new owners have small children and climbing two flights of stairs to bed with them wriggling in their arms does not sound like fun.

There’s also a mini cafe on the top floor with a sink and tea and coffee-making facilities within an alcove on the landing, so no need to take the lift down to the main kitchen to make a brew in the morning.

The bedrooms have also been constructed with hidden storage. In each there is a partial partition wall behind the bed, or as part of the en suite section, and hidden behind this internal wall is a walk-in wardrobe and integrated storage.

The house was constructed in 2018 and can boast some added extras that are not initially obvious, if at all. According to the estate agent selling the property, the house has marine grade powder coated aluminium windows, gutters and downpipes, plus underfloor heating on the ground floor, USB points, and a smoke alarm and sprinkler system.

It also offers a double garage and an extra study room that opens out on to a private courtyard.

The kitchen boasts a bonus separate pantry and a utility room includes a side access door – very handy when any family member and dog come back from the beach with sandy toes and paws. The ground floor also has a wet room to offer even more attention to the muddy or sandy guests.

There’s also a cinema room that includes a projector with sound system.

Over the two upper floors there are seven bedrooms, four with en suite, and a hot tub and twin basins in the master bedroom’s en suite.

All bedrooms have clever storage and views over the sea, or patchwork of characterful and charming rooftops and chimneys of Porthcawl; beat that Miami.

The Porthcawl sea view modern mansion is for sale for £1.35m with Thompsons Estate Agents, Porthcawl. Call 01656 784525 to find out more.