A blast of New England ... in breezy Eastbourne
The stunning South Coast retreat – with a very Yankee vibe
IMAGINE stepping out of your fabulous New England-style home and straight on to a boat, on which you could immediately set sail on countless adventures.
That has been the option available to yacht broker Alan Knapp and his wife Sharon at their marinafront home, which they are now selling as they are downsizing.
But although their impressive property perfectly encapsulates the American maritime vibe, it’s actually situated in the slightly less romantic setting of Eastbourne in East Sussex.
‘There are only 13 water-fronted properties with their own mooring,’ says 64-year-old Alan about Sovereign Harbour, the biggest marina complex of its type in Northern Europe. ‘Properties are very few and far between. They don’t come on the market very often.’
The six-bedroom house, at Auckl and Quay, i s up for sale for £1.375 million. It is described as a ‘ Boston House’ because of i ts similarities to properties found in New England.
The house has a private 60ft mooring, but is easily accessible by car too. There is a detached double garage and a driveway that can hold up to six vehicles.
The house was built in 2003 over three storeys, with a balcony overlooking the waterfront.
‘It’s still as it was when it was first constructed,’ Alan says. ‘But we got planning permission granted for a two-story extension across the back of the property.’
Alan keeps a small Boston Whaler motorboat moored at the property, and has also moored boats there that he was selling as part of his job. However, he did not choose Auckland Quay just because of his work. ‘The marina is a particularly pleasant environment,’ he says. ‘There are wonderful views.’
Another reason for buying the property, which was built by Millwood Designer Homes, was the quality of education on offer in the area. ‘ The intention was to have access to good-quality schools,’ he says. Auckland Quay is handy for Bede’s Prep School, Eastbourne Coll ege, Roedean Moira House and St Andrew’s Preparatory School. ‘Also, it’s easy to London: it’s one hour 30 minutes from Eastbourne to Victoria.’ However, his children’s schooldays are now over. ‘The children are moving on with their lives and buying their own properties,’ Alan says, regretfully. ‘And, for two people, we’re sort of chasing shadows.’
Properties like this don’t come on the market very often