Contrasting Styles in Clontarf

Simla Lodge - Strandville Avenue

Simla Lodge, built in 1760 by Edward Kingston Vernon as a lodge on the original Clontarf estate, is for sale by private treaty through Sherry FitzGerald, quoting £500,000. The yellow-painted detached Regency-style house on Strandville Avenue, a short walk up from the seafront, has been completely renovated by the present owners. Simla Lodge, with almost 3,000 sq ft of accommodation and five bedrooms, will appeal to anyone looking for a large ready-to-go house close to the city. Typical features of the period, such as high ceilings, ornate cornicing and original marble fireplaces lend a gracious air to the house.

Granite steps to the front door are flanked by old street lights which came from Sutton Station. The drawingroom has two large windows and a period marble fireplace, and overlooks the front and side of the house. A door leads to the diningroom.

Across the hall, the main bedroom has an en suite bathroom. Another double bedroom backing on to this room also has an en suite. A child's double bedroom to the rear of the house is beside the family bathroom. There are two further bedrooms downstairs, plus a bathroom, study, family room and a big country-style kitchen. Doors lead from the family room to a tiny Victorian conservatory and out to a postcard-sized walled garden. Another part of the rear garden off the kitchen is currently used as parking for two cars.

Hillford - Seafield Road East

Hillford, a four-bedroom period redbrick end-terrace house on Seafield Road East, is to be auctioned on 6th July next by Sherry FitzGerald. The fact that this is probably the best road in Clontarf is reflected in the pre-auction guide of £500,000. Although a new owner will have to spend money on a complete revamp, the period features in Hillford are perfectly preserved and the house, at almost 2,000 sq ft, is larger than it appears from the outside. Timberwork throughout the house is in very good condition and there is plenty of Victorian detail.

The original solid front door is in perfect order, as is the curved staircase with its polished mahogany banister rail. Decorative coving in the sittingroom and diningrooms are particularly fine. The main reception rooms are connected by double doors and have original marble fireplaces. French doors lead from the diningroom to the back garden.

The kitchen area on the ground floor return includes breakfast room, utility room and basic scullery, all of which could be turned into one large room. There is a small double bedroom, huge bathroom and separate lavatory on the first-floor return. Three further bedrooms - two very large with cast-iron fireplaces and one a single room - are on the first floor.

Outside, the rear garden is walled and very secluded.