Suffolk Towers in George Street, Ryde.
PROPERTY OF THE WEEKRESPLENDENT with architectural details galore topped off with an ornate viewing tower looking out to the sea and mainland is a stunning Ryde villa dating from Victorian times.
Grade II listed Suffolk Towers in George Street has an impressive richly embellished, white-colourwashed front-age in the style made fashionable by Prince Albert at Osborne House.
But its glory is not confined to its appearance as its very generous-sized six-bedroom interior abounds with fine period features, such as marble and cast-iron fireplaces, ornate ceiling mouldings and cornice.
Originally named Suffolk House, it is thought to have been built in the late 1830s for a congregational minister and then been home to a dentist and inventor before passing into the ownership of John Mortimer Lousada.
Lousada was believed to have been an Italian count and to have transformed it into Suffolk Towers by enlarging it and adding fashionable features, including the urn-topped tower, ballustrades and pillasters.
Today the house — with tall sash bay windows in most rooms letting in plentiful light — is a superb blend of period style with modern-day comforts.
As well as four reception rooms, there is a well-fitted out kitchen with lovely granite worksurfaces plus a family bathroom and en-suite facilities to three bedrooms, all beautifully appointed and with limestone or Travertine wall and floor tiles.
Reached from the good-sized back garden or main house is the bonus of a rear annexe comprising an open-plan area with separate bathroom and WC.
The walled garden is far wider than the home’s frontage and along with lawns, a raised sun terrace, covered patio and children’s activity area there are electronic gates to generous parking space.
Beyond front double doors is the tile-floored entrance hall with a corbelled archway, ornate ceiling moulding with cornicing and ceiling rose.
Solid oak flooring enhances the elegant reception rooms, including the 20ft-long sitting room with front sash windows in a curved bay and similar-sized rear-facing dining room with an original marble fireplace.
The spacious front-facing study/family room is warmed by a gas fire with period-style surround and the breakfast room has rear and side windows.
In the tile-floored kitchen with appealing modern units is an Aga cooking range with extractor over, an electric oven, hob and microwave oven and a rear window and door. More units are fitted in the adjoining utility room and there is also a downstairs cloakroom.
Upstairs are six bedrooms, three with marble fireplaces and the super family bathroom housing a white suite, including a freestanding bath — similar to that in the master en-suite — plus a separate shower cubicle.
A door with stained glass panels leads to the lofty viewing tower with panoramic sea views.