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Wales Online
Lifestyle
Joanne Ridout

The two Chelsea-style properties for sale in the heart of Newport for a fraction of London prices

Strolling down this small, suburban street you might, for a moment at least, think you were lost somewhere down a side street in the posh and exclusive London suburb of Chelsea.

Flanked by a white-washed terrace of fancy townhouse either side of you, with impressive entrance columns and a substantial front door proudly wearing a bright blue coat of paint, the Georgian street could, briefly, be confused for fancy pads in one of London's most expensive areas.

Add the stunning wrought iron first-floor balconies with intricate gold detailing that mimic the front railings, and four floors of large, multi-paned, classic Georgian windows and the road rightly demands you stop strolling and start staring.

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It's not London, it's Newport (Google maps)
Terraces of townhouses in the heart of a conservation area (Google maps)

If the duet of townhouses were in Chelsea then owning one would, for the vast majority of house hunters, surely be a dream home daydream.

According to Rightmove, properties in Chelsea had an overall average price of £2,178,526 over the last year, up by 8% on the previous year and similar to the 2014 peak of £2,193,323. A flat in Chelsea will currently set you back around £1.5m and detached homes have an average price of an eye-watering £5m.

A terraced property in Chelsea has an average asking price of £4m, so living in central London in a fancy period property is not an option for most. However, if you swap The Thames for the River Usk, then bagging yourself a Georgian gem is an option for most people with the average price for a terraced home currently standing at £176,319.

But Victoria Place in Newport is no average street of terraced houses, it's a little slice of Georgian history tucked away near the centre of the city that many people not familiar with the area might be surprised to find.

Fancy balconies and railings, Georgian windows and a fabulous blue front door at each house (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
The street is surrounded by other historic gems (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

The houses date back to 1844 and were built by Rennie Logan, constructors of the city's Town Docks, within the early Victorian period, but clearly the design is heavily influenced by the previous Georgian period, with many classic features from that distinct era of design proudly on display.

The houses were awarded a Grade II listed by Cadw in 1974 for being 'an impressive early 19th century terrace, with group value with opposite side of Victoria Place', so both sides of the street are special enough to have their own Grade II listing.

Apartment 1: Lounge diner (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 1: High ceilings and three windows for optimum light (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

The street was renovated and restored back to life in 1977 after the street became rundown and a magnet for vandals and squatters. Even the street lamps are a slice of the past and add to the charm of the road.

More recently, looking glorious, the street has been popular as a filming location appearing as the backdrop in episodes of BBC Cymru Wales' Doctor Who and Torchwood plus period dramas such as House of Eliott and Carrie's War.

The street is within the St Woolos conservation area, designated in August 1985 and centred around one of Newport's finest buildings, the Grade I St. Woolos Cathedral whose history dates back to before Norman times.

Newport County Council's website states that the street has some of the oldest townhouses in the city and that it was built to connect the nearby Stow Hill with the expanding area around the newly- built Town Dock.

The conservation documentation states: 'The composition is enhanced by the magnificent presence of the former United Reformed Church which closes the view when observed from the Stow Hill end of the street' - another historic gem of the area and another sought-after street to call home in this pocket of the past within this city.

Apartment 1: Stylish, modern kitchen in neutral tones (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 1: Kitchen island with breakfast bar is a welcome addition (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

The street is probably not going to offer you the chance to grab a whole house within either of its rows of terraces because it appears that they were all developed into flats during that 1970s period when they were almost demolished and the city came close to losing one of its most beautiful roads.

But this special street, of course, does not offer an average flat - the apartments within its townhouses span more than one floor and are spacious and light. Two apartments are currently for sale on the street, so you have a choice of locations within the terrace.

Apartment 1: The neutral and inviting decor continues upstairs (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 1: Being an end of terrace property means side windows too (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

Apartment one is located within the townhouse at the end of the street, and it spans two floors and benefits from its beautiful Georgian bone-structure - high ceilings and huge windows that almost reach from floor to ceiling in some rooms.

Being within the end terrace house, the corner rooms offer a dual aspect, with a duo of windows at the front as the neighbours can also boast, but an extra side window within the lounge diner, kitchen, and two of the bedrooms. So the advantage of being within an end terrace house for light and views across the other period gems within the conservation area are clear.

Apartment 1: Three bedrooms in total (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 1: Two ways to look out to the streets below from the pillow (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

The entrance to this apartment is from the back of the terrace, with stairs getting you up to the first floor where you'll find the fabulous and sociable lounge diner that spans the width of the front of the house that showcases the two big Georgian windows that look out onto the street.

There's ceiling roses, cornicing and deep skirtings, that add an extra layer of period charm to the space as well as that cute wrought iron balcony that is the front facade's crowning glory at each house.

The kitchen is at the rear of the flat and, as with the rest of this home, has been given a slick and modern interior design update in neutral colours and natural materials, finessed with some elegant and simple additions, such as the statement lights above the island unit and breakfast bar.

Apartment 1: One of the bedrooms being used as a home office (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 1: Family bathroom (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 1: Extra cloakroom (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

Up the stairs to the top floor of the townhouse and there are three bedrooms, a family bathroom and a bonus cloakroom and storage cupboard. Each bedroom is a double and enjoys maximum light from the Georgian windows.

The simple and stylish decor continues on this level too, and gives the whole home a sense of calm - there's nothing to do here except unpack and enjoy.

This three bedroom, one bathroom duplex apartment that can boast an end of terrace location is on the market for offers in excess of £220,000.

Apartment 2: Entrance hall (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 2: Double front doors, and both are period pieces (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

But along the terrace and down the road there is another apartment for sale, also hoping to capture your heart and become your new home, and at this flat you can use the striking blue front door as your private entrance.

The front door gets you into a porch area with another period door that opens into the wide and long hallway, and be sure to look up and admire the decorative wall frieze above you as you wander to the stairs and the reception rooms on the first floor.

Apartment 2: Lounge diner with period features (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 2: View from the pretty balcony (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

This apartment also has the same structural features as the end of terrace flat in the lounge diner - the windows, ceiling rose and cornicing, skirtings and balcony, but arguably the space feels more characterful due to the added bonus of an elegant fireplace flanked by two arched wall alcoves.

The kitchen in this flat, as with its neighbour, is at the rear and this version has a warm and homely feel thanks to the wooden units complemented with a fresh blue and green colour scheme introduced by the mesmerising mosaic wall tiles. There's enough room in the kitchen for a breakfast table, and it's an inviting space to start your day.

Apartment 2: Kitchen has room for a breakfast table (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 2: Welcoming wood and fresh tones of green decor (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

Up to the next floor that is home to three bedrooms, with the bedroom at the front that gives the new owner a choice as there is a connecting double doorway between this space and the single bedroom next to it. Could this connected space be a walk-in wardrobe and dressing room, or a nursery, or a home office. Alternatively, close it off to reinstate it as a private, single bedroom.

The spacious bathroom on this floor has been treated to a mono, art deco inspired interior design scheme, with traditional and timeless design for fixtures and fittings adding to the striking black and white walls and floor.

Up to the top floor and you will discover the final bedroom plus an extra bathroom and two handy storage spaces, as well as the best views out over the roof-tops and buildings of Newport from this home's prime central position.

Apartment 2: Four bedrooms spread over two floors (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 2: Top floor bathroom (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Apartment 2: Art Deco inspired mono interior in the family bathroom (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)

The selling agent describes this as the master bedroom as it occupies its own, dedicated floor and bathroom, with one of the connected storage spaces surely crying out to be converted into a walk-in wardrobe. This three floor, potentially four bed apartment has a guide price of £220,000.

Both apartments are on a 999 leasehold that began in 1978 when the property renovations were completed and have allocated parking spaces at the rear, plus both have a maintenance fees and ground rent charge of £118 per month.

Car park at the rear (Number One Real Estate, Newport / rightmove)
Impressive period properties that flank the road (Google maps)

The apartments that are a slice of posh Chelsea in a Welsh city are both on the market with Number One Real Estate, Newport, call them on 01633 492777 to find out more. And don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, auction properties, renovation stories, and interiors - join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter , sent to your inbox twice a week.

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