Easy Living: A waterside retreat in Brighton

1/21 Birdwood Avenue, Brighton
$5 million+
3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms 2 car spaces

Private sale
Inspect TBA Saturday 
Agent Woodards, 9572 1666, Benjamin Dax, 0408 560 790

A cat lounges by the gas fire; outside the parade of waterside walkers continues and behind them huge container ships slowly glide down the bay. This is what a $5 million+ apartment looks like in Brighton. It is relaxed, comfortable and has an almost other-worldly feel away from roads or hustle and bustle. 

There are not many apartments in Brighton’s “golden mile” – the strip of properties that have no road or cars between them and the water – and those that exist are in small, low-rise blocks with residences that are more like houses than apartments. 

Here, there are six apartments in a stately, mansion-like block. Apartment 1 is on a slightly lowered ground level. Entry is into a wide foyer which narrows slightly into a hallway from which all the bedrooms open off to the right. It’s almost like a semi-detached terrace layout except here rooms, including bedrooms, are large and have double doors or sliding doors opening to outdoor spaces. 

The main bedroom is a particular delight. So many apartments of this vintage have no personality but here there is a warmth and life that is relaxing without being overwhelming. Large, with a walk-in wardrobe and en suite, the sleeping area is almost 20 square metres and has a pretty but subtle wallpaper and double doors opening to a long courtyard. 

Further down the hallway the remaining two bedrooms open; one has an en suite and the other sits opposite a small bathroom – and the laundry. From here, the apartment expands. A huge formal living and dining room stretches ahead for more than nine metres. It has windows facing north and west-facing sliding doors to the large courtyard with the sea views beyond.

Three sets of double doors connect this room to the casual living area, which has the kitchen at one end and the sitting area – with gas fire and happy cat in front of it – at the other. 

This lovely room leads to a large courtyard which has a gate to the seafront reserve and walking paths … with a cafe a short distance to the left and the golden sands of Elwood Beach a little to the right. 

Need to know 
Last traded: December 2009, for $3,625,000. Highest priced apartment:  9/14 North Road, $2.3 million, June 2015. Recent sales: 4/34 Wolseley Grove, $863,000, August 2015; 1/3 Railway Avenue, $745,000, July 2015; 4/23 Glyndon Avenue, $1 million, June 2015.

Room for improvement 
​A gas fire in the formal living areas.