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Could this be One of the Best Apartments in Portsm...

Could this be One of the Best Apartments in Portsmouth?

You are probably aware of the imposing Brandon Court in Lawrence Road, Southsea which is the huge brick building just up from the Albert Road/Waverley Road crossroads but maybe not so aware of it’s interesting history and the pretty incredible penthouse apartment. The Grade II listed building was originally called Nazareth House and was built around 1900 and in the past was an orphanage and convent (with stories of it being a place where young, unwed mothers went/were sent to give birth…very different times) before becoming a school in later years.

In 1985 the building was redeveloped and turned in to flats. The conversion had to fit within a building with a multitude of different room sizes and functions from a laundry through to a chapel, with many, many different original features being salvaged and incorporated in to the new homes. This careful and thoughtful redevelopment is relatively common these days but not so much back in the mid 80s and because of this attention to detail and clever design the building won the Portsmouth Society‘s Best Restoration award in 1987, with the penthouse apartment given particular praise.

This leads us neatly on to the penthouse apartment within Brandon Court. Due to the design of the original building due to it’s intended use the space can be a little unusual but this apartment’s open plan living area is simply spectacular incorporating original wood paneling and features with the breath-taking vaulted ceiling. The apartment is now up for sale with Cubitt & West. I can’t image a place like this, given the location too, will be on the market for long (although it could do with some work to bring character to the other rooms…just a suggestion…).

We’ve pinched a few photos from the listing and they are shown below, to view more and the property details visit HERE and if you are the lucky person moving in there, nice one.

Know of some other architecturally spectacular buildings, houses, apartments & homes in Portsmouth? Let us know your favourites and why.

Brandon Court (photo by Cubitt & West) (1)

Brandon Court (photo by Cubitt & West) (2)

Brandon Court (photo by Cubitt & West) (3)

(photos by Cubitt & West)


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  1. Dan Lacey

    26 September

    Nazareth House was my first / primary school in the mid-1970s.

    I remember we used to practice the long-jump on to blue crash mats in the long corridors that connected the classrooms.

    The school was run primarily by nuns, who were all very kind and nothing like the horror stories that some have experienced in Catholic schools in the past.

    On the few times that I have been back to visit friends who have had flats in the Brandon Court, it always brings back a giddying sense of nostalgia for the past, mixed with a sense of sadness that it all seems so long ago.

    That said, the conversions of the flats seem to have been done with a sensitivity to the buildings history.

    I sometimes wonder what it would be like to rent or own an appartment in what was my first school…

  2. Annette Orsmond

    26 September

    I drive past this building all the time and often wonder what the apartments are like inside!
    BTW I live at St Patrick’s Church which has been converted into 4 apartments which have stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings and many of the original features. Perhaps you might like to write a feature about it?

  3. Amy

    26 September

    what an amazing space, hope someone buys it and takes care of it

  4. Jake

    27 September

    Interesting to read this; it’s my flat and I’ve absolutely LOVED living here. I hope whoever snaps it up will enjoy it as much as I have!

  5. Paul Gonella

    1 October

    Hi Jake, thanks loads for commenting, it’s great when we hear back from people by chance relating to a post on Facebook that happens to be indirectly about them. We’ve had loads from our Southsea Odeon feature to where people talk about their memories of seeing films there and also people talking about how their family worked there. We’re over the moon when things work out like that!

  6. Josephine

    26 February

    This is a bit outdated now but………I was doing a bit of research about this flat and particularly on the building’s history when I came across this article – I was so excited to read it and everyone’s comments as I’m in the process of buying this magnificent flat! I ‘fell in love’ with it the minute I saw it on the estate agent’s website……and am now looking forward to living there. I think that what I liked most about this flat (apart from everything :)is its very special atmosphere; it felt as though, over the years, the walls have been infused with love…..(I know, it sounds corny, but that’s how it felt)

  7. Paul Gonella

    26 February

    Hi Josephine, Thanks loads for commenting and letting us know, have fun in your new, very unique new home!

  8. Lee

    18 August

    I have recently moved into apartment 14 Brandon Court. I fell in love with this building the first time I came across it way back in 2008 when I moved to the local area. Every time I passed by, car, bike, walking, I would look up and wonder “It’s beautiful on the outside, I wonder what is like inside ?”. Three months ago I had the chance to see inside. 14 came up for sale and I was on the phone immediately with the estate agents. I booked a viewing and spoke to my wife via phone whilst she was at work, just letting her know that I was going to take a look. She said “If you like it buy it !”. What a gift she gave me. Josephine above, it does sound corny, however, you are so right. I don’t believe in any mumbo-jumbo but there is something about this building that simply lifts your spirit. It is written on my face and the faces of everyone I have met here to date, it’s lovely here ! My name is Lee, my wife is Sue and we live at 14 Brandon Court Southsea :o)

  9. cecilia lang

    19 March

    Josephine’s “walls infused with love” made me smile! If only she knew! I lived there from 1949
    til 1955 in the orphanage. The walls definitely WEREN’T infused with love! But hey, hope you’re happy in your home whatever the walls or anything else are infused with!
    Cecilia

  10. carolanne_p48@outlook.com

    24 August

    I also lived here from 1952 to 1962. could not wait to leave. most of the children living here were either orphans or parents just dumped them here. I was lucky as I had grandparents who I went to stay with in the holidays. some nuns good some not so. carol

  11. Jacqueline Salliss

    8 September

    I went to the convent , I have happy memories of attending there and still keep in touch with a couple of friend who also went onto St Edmunds with me .
    I remember the nuns and also have happy memories of them all .
    Jacqueline Salliss re Burton

  12. Jacqueline Salliss

    8 September

    I went to the convent , I have happy memories of attending there and still keep in touch with a couple of friend who also went onto St Edmunds with me .
    I remember the nuns and also have happy memories of them all .

  13. Kathleen Lamb nee Harrigan

    11 May

    I too went to Nazareth House junior school approx 1965 to 1969. The happiest years of my school life and I still vividly remember the kindness of all of the nuns and most teachers. I certainly felt loved.

  14. stuartbampton

    20 September

    Dear Sir, in 1901 my grt grandfather traveled down to Portsmouth where its thought he was in search of work. He came over unwell, and passed away suddenly in August 1901,. His death was given as, the nazareth House, Southsea. It seems he may have been taken into the home, being unwell nr to it on the street? Not thought tobe a resident. He was after taken home to Berkshire to family and buried. He was, John Henry Fitzgerald, aged 50. London born.

    Regards

    Stuart.

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