Fife House is one of Brighton' finest Regency houses with superb views of the English Channel. 6 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms and 6621 sq ft in total - A fabulous home!

Built in the 1820s, Lewes Crescent forms parts of the original Kemp Town estate planned by the famous architect Charles Busby and executed by Thomas Kemp. Much of the estate (which includes Sussex Square and Chichester and Arundel Terraces) was later completed by the architect Thomas Cubitt, who fitted out the interior of Fife House for the 6th Duke of Devonshire
The Dining Room

Originally covered with arsenic based green paint (which could not be exposed during the restoration), today the walls and woodwork have been painted to simulate the "aged" and "dirtied" impression of the ornate grapevine moulding thought to have been fitted by the Crace decorators in 1848.
Original brass picture rails have been polished and rehung and the impressive mahogany sideboard (probably built by Gillows) remains in its original position.

Accommodation summary
Fine entrance hall, first floor drawing room, dining room, 3 further reception rooms, kitchen with 30 ceiling, Kings toilet, servants staircase, 6 bedrooms, 3 bath/shower rooms, utility room, wine cellar, 2 under pavement stores and use of the residents gardens opposite (Kemp Town Enclosures).

Fife house is stacked with unusual features:

Kings Toilet

So called because it was installed for Edward VII, the toilet still houses the original columned porcelain toilet and "royal" mahogany cistern. The walls have been covered with a monarch red Venetian stucco finish.

The Drawing Room
The famous "ballroom" lavishly decorated by the Royal decorator John Gregory Crace for the 6th Duke in 1848. The Duke chose to redecorate the entire house and hired the famous Crace Family to carry out this work. What remains of this lavish redecoration is the wonderfully painted ceiling and walls of the Drawing Room These now-famous ceiling and wall paintings were covered under a heavy lincrusta wallpaper by the Duchess of Fife and only recently discovered by the present owners. Efforts are being made to restore the original Craces decoration.

Staircase & Wind Indicator
The Portland stone staircase (with its bronzed metal balusters) is topped by an enormous blue and gilded "wind indicator" which was once attached to a gilded weather vane that sat on top of the roof. The wind indicator is another of the Dukes unique specifications for the house as it is quite rare to have such a clock fitted on the inside. The Duke travelled from the south coast to the continent often, so perhaps he really did need to know in which direction the wind was blowing.

Master Bedroom
The original decoration of this bedroom/suite was unknown. Today its walls, those of the connected sitting room and window shutters have been painted in traditional Georgian colours. The walls have been painted using the period "stippling" technique.

Master Bathroom
With no adequate-size bathroom in house, the present owners chose to convert one of the back bedrooms to this master bathroom. Fitted with interesting modern sanitary features, the walls and floor have been painted following the design of a Roman palazzo.

Third Floor Bedrooms
The main bedroom on the third floor features an example of wood graining (to simulate satinwood) taking its inspiration from a similar treatment found and restored in the Kings Apartments at the Royal Pavilion.

Servants Staircase
The 6th Dukes respect for his household staff is well known and documented. He even chose to fit his servants staircase with a most extraordinary twisted mahogany hand-rail.

The Kitchen
Derelict when purchased by the present owners (except for the original Brighton range still in place), the kitchen (with its 30 foot ceiling topped by a magnificent timber and glass lantern) has today been fitted with the latest stainless steel/commercial furniture and appliances designed and chosen by the owners specifically for the house.

Staircase Lantern
The original staircase lantern was lost in the hurricane of 1987. The present owners, after designs and examples of other lanterns fitted by Thomas Cubitt, have installed a new lantern constructed using only "period" materials and following traditional installation methods.