Palms Properties: Beside the sea!

Palms Properties really do like to be beside the seaside

For so many people who live in Brighton, or are thinking of moving to Brighton, one of the most appealing factors has to be the sea. So where better to start to look than Brighton Marina?

Palms Properties has been based in and specialising in marina properties for 21 years now. Originally operating from a small office in the heart of the original part of the development they have recently made a major move to a high profile location on Palm Drive at the heart of the Marina below the newly refurbished Malmaison Hotel. Here they can be seen by almost every visitor who ever comes to visit and their massive glass frontage is getting a huge amount of attention.

It’s hardly surprising as directors Leigh Ryan and Andrew Fielding have taken some very bold decisions and created a visually striking new space from which they can operate in style. The interior is bold, contrasting sleek glass pods for private consultations against timber clad walls, soft pale carpets, modern work stations, comfortable sofas and an impressive mural created by street artists Sinna One and Rec depicting iconic images of the city and its history. And all this is lit by what can only be described as a flotilla of crystal chandeliers decked with brightly coloured shades! It might sound busy but the space is vast and the impact is impressive, alluring, so much so that visitors to the marina often go in and ask to take a look around.

The business is focused on marina properties but in every sense – from sales through to lettings, and also holiday lets, and the team boast a vast wealth of knowledge and skills in each of those areas. Sharon Walker is the lettings advisor, Karen Jupp is property manager, Sandy McGarrigle looks after the holiday lettings element of the company, and Jane Collins is financial controller. Leigh and Andrew are very much hands on members of the team too, always involved in every aspect of the day to day running of their business.

Brighton Marina has for the last few years seen a massive renaissance

Brighton Marina has for the last few years seen a massive renaissance, and although they are not currently involved in the sale of most recent developments they are massively involved in all the other areas of marina property, and no doubt will become involved as the new properties come up for re-sale or letting, that is how strong their reputation has become. There is little doubt that that reputation has also been partly responsible for the increasing popularity of the marina as a place to live – whether buying or renting, Brighton Marina is certainly figuring high on the city’s property scene. Part of the appeal is of course the proximity to the sea but it’s not just that. Leigh and Andrew are keen to point out that a great many Marina properties offer so much more than you might find if buying an older city building, many of which are strangely configured conversions of older homes. “A marina apartment is likely to have better designed accommodation for certain. Many of the two bedroomed homes will have not only one bathroom but sometimes two, or an additional cloakroom/WC. And so many come with views of the water front and even sea views, which obviously make them premium homes with massive appeal.

“Access to the Marina is good too and many of the homes that we offer come with parking, but public transport links here are excellent and the presence of a major hotel means that there is seldom a shortage of taxis to be found.”

So what do viewers have to say when they come to see a marina property? “Increasingly we hear from potential clients that Brighton Marina is clearly on the radar as an attractive place to move. It’s not just the location either, the view is that it has for too long been undervalued and offers very attractive homes that are great value for money.”

The move to their new prestige office comes at a time when many property businesses are putting the emphasis on online services, but for Palms they are committed to being out there in the face of the public. “We believe that you need a face to face interaction as we are selling a service. The marina is a village and after 21 years we have become very much part of that village, we know that village and have a lot to offer our clients, not only selling and letting them a property but being here to advise them on what happens here and in the city. Our holiday let clients check in with us here and see a face, meet a person and have a point of contact throughout their stay. That interaction on a personal level with our clients is very important to us and to the Palms brand. Our growth has been organic and achieved through quality service, a service that has been recommended by word of mouth and made us the success that we have become. We’re proud to have been here for 21 years and we certainly plan to be here for at least another 21 years!”

With a portfolio of properties to sell and to let, at a wide range of prices, from studio apartments to prestige waterfront freehold homes, and a global audience of holiday customers, there seems to be nothing in the way of the Palms team achieving just that.

14 Waterfront, Palm Drive, www.palmsproperties.co.uk, 01273 626000