Dream Home: Tee Time
Latest Homes talks to international golfer, Michael Campbell, as he sells his beautiful Brighton home to move back to Sydney, Australia
Michael Campbell first played golf aged 12 and represented his home country of New Zealand for the first time aged 17. In 2005 he won his first major tournament, the US Open, and later that year came fifth in The Open Championship. This year he has been dogged by a shoulder injury but is now fighting fit and ready to play again.
Michael has divided his year between Brighton and his Vaucluse home in Sydney, Australia for the last ten years. ‘‘We fell in love with Brighton,“ he says. “It’s a very relaxed and cosmopolitan city, brilliantly placed for what I do. It is also miles away from where most golfers choose to live which I really like. My wife saw the property and fell in love with it and although we had to really extend ourselves to buy it, we knew that it was right. It needed a lot of work but Julie has done an amazing job and we will miss both the house and Brighton very much.‘‘
Living in two cities at opposite sides of the planet is very convenient for the professional golfer. Being in Europe for the summer season and returning to the southern hemisphere for their summer means he never has to endure a winter, so why the change? ‘‘Our two children are now ready to start the main part of their education. They have had a brilliant start at Lancing College but we have decided that we want them to now have a stable education based in one city and Sydney has won out. I may well end up buying a smaller base here in Brighton in the future, but right now my family’s needs are my top priority.’’
Michael’s wife Julie welcomed us and told us more about their beautiful home and life in Brighton: ‘‘When we bought the house it was in need of a great deal of renovation. There was a lot of dark wood panelling, some very damaged and terrible dark laminated floors which we had to remove. The house also comes with a separate annexe, which was very run down, so that had to be completely renovated.
‘‘Because it is a period property we wanted to save as many of the beautiful features as possible, but at the same time we wanted a family home that was comfortable to live in. The kitchen is very modern but in contrast we have kept a very traditional dining room with antique furniture and restored wood panelling.
Our main sitting room is rather modern and overlooks the huge deck that we had built to cover a treacherous and run down rockery. The garden is where we like to spend a lot of time. Michael has a fully equipped gymnasium and sauna overlooking the koi carp pond as well as a professional putting green and bunker. The kids have a play area with a treehouse and zip wire and I enjoy the huge lawns, the fabulous planting including tree ferns to give us that New Zealand feel and, of course, the huge hot tub.’’
Inside the property no expense has been spared in making this a luxurious home, but at the same time it has a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere, feeling lived in rather than precious. And the presence of their two young sons proves that: they have two rooms and use one to sleep and one as an activity room. In addition to this they have a large conservatory which functions as another play area but also a school room where they have tuition during holidays.
“No expense has been spared in making this a luxurious home”
The bedrooms are equally luxurious: ‘‘The only thing Michael asked for was a purple bedroom so I was happy to do that,’’ says Julie. The large room overlooks the leafy slopes of Withdean and the cool soft lilac shades are soothing. The en-suite is luxuriously large and marble lined but there are no wardrobes. ‘‘No, we have a large separate dressing room where we keep all our clothes. With the need for so much international travel it made sense to have a room dedicated to that so it houses clothes for all events and the luggage too.’’
The exterior of the property retains all its pretty English charm. The huge paved drive and garage are set behind electric gates, which offer safety and security. The annexe, which has provided accommodation for family and friends could easily be let to provide income but would also offer fabulous accommodation for live-in staff.
Everywhere you look there are mementos of their life as a family. Michael’s triumphs on the links are celebrated in his large office, and there are many trophies, although apparently there are as many again Down Under.
The house has a warmth that is often missing in properties of this scale. Style and luxury have been achieved but not by sacrificing relaxed family living. This is clearly a project on which Julie and her family have lavished love and attention; from the beautiful interiors to the stunning grounds, it would offer any family an opportunity to live in style in one of the city’s most desirable locations.
Work has been done throughout to the very highest specifications; excellent sound systems, state of the art appliances and beautiful materials from Italian marble to coloured and mirrored glass. Too much in fact to list here fully, and, whilst reflecting the Campbell’s tastes in many ways, is never outrageous or ostentatious. This is a beautiful domestic landscape in which any family could make their own statement.
Property An extensive fully modernsied period home
with landscaped gardens and large annexe
Location: Withdean
Price: £2,750,000
Contact Hamptons International: 01273 230230
OPEN HOUSE September 12th. For further details contact Hamptons International on 01273 230230
