Oh la la! Couple choose Eastbourne over South of France

A holiday home on the French Riviera or a waterfront retreat in Eastbourne? For one busy Kent couple there was no contest once they fell for the charms of The Boardwalk, in Sovereign Harbour.

Film sound effects editor Martin Cantwell and his web designer wife Sarah Medway, from North Kent, were looking for a place to relax and escape from the stresses of running their own business, when they accidentally discovered Redrow’s stunning waterside apartments.

Martin, 44, said: “We’d been looking to buy a holiday home in France and had considered the West Country too, when we came across The Boardwalk on a shopping trip to Eastbourne.

“We were sat having coffee by the harbour and thought ‘we could be in the South of France now’ and then we noticed the building work going on and decided to check the development out. It was a love at first sight really and we quite quickly decided the apartment was ideal for us.

“It’s much more relaxing for us to get in the car for an hour after work on a Friday following a long week than it would be to travel all the way to France or drive five hours to Cornwall.”

Martin and Sarah, 42, purchased a two-bedroom property in Bimini - one of six individual buildings that make up the nautically inspired Boardwalk venture – and it offers fabulous views from their sun terrace out over the harbour.

Delighted Martin added: “Since buying the apartment in January we’ve made quite a few trips with friends and family as it’s only about an hour’s drive away from home. It’s a very relaxing place to be and we enjoy looking out over the boats in the harbour, we might even take up watersports.”

Tina Chalk, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (Southern), said: “Martin and Sarah are following a bit of a trend by buying a holiday home at The Boardwalk. This part of the south coast has always been a popular holiday or weekend destination for people from Kent and quite a few of them have chosen to buy second homes at our development, perhaps with a view to retiring here later in life.

“It’s not surprising really as The Boardwalk is about taking dreams and aspirations and turning them into stunning reality, where you can escape from the trappings of everyday life. Others wanting a handy holiday retreat will have to be quick though as there are only a small number of apartments left. We’ve already sold more than 90 per cent, which proves the phenomenal success we have experienced in Eastbourne.”

The six individual buildings that make up The Boardwalk are each named after a type of nautical knot. There are still a number of one and two-bedroom apartments available in the Centauri and Bimini buildings, as well as two spacious and elegant three-bedroom penthouses.

The bold exterior design draws on maritime influences, reflected in the eye catching facades of the six buildings, which feature splashes of blue and yellow and utilise an unusual combination of aluminium, canvas and wood. A timber decked walkway separates the buildings and enhances the character of the development.

Prices at The Boardwalk currently start from £199,000. The last remaining fabulous penthouses are priced at £650,000 and £657,000.

Visit The Boardwalk daily from 10am – 5.30pm to view the outstanding penthouse view home and the fully furnished show apartment. For more information, immerse yourself at Theboardwalk.redrow.co.uk.

General information about Redrow and its other developments in the south of England can be found at Redrow.co.uk.