Half a house, a third of the price in Monkstown

THE AUCTIONEER calls it “priced to entice” and “an improvers delight” and, while do-uppers aren’t exactly popular with buyers right now, this two-storey over basement curiosity at the end of affluent De Vesci Terrace in Monkstown Co Dublin, could prove to be an exception.

Gordon Lennox of Lennox Estates is asking €400,000 for 10A de Vesci Terrace. It’s a quirky “half-house” on its northern end, possibly built as a wing of the house next door. Nevertheless, the listed property has over 145sq m (1,500sq ft) of living space, as well as a 60sq m (646sq ft) self-contained basement flat and a mews style garage accessed from a gated laneway to the rear. Houses on De Vesci Terrace, which is close to Monkstown village, are now worth around €1.5 million, down from over €3 million at the peak of the market.

The house comes with a key to de Vesci Gardens, the residents’ private gated park, which the agent calls “a little gem” and which residents look after on an ad-hoc voluntary basis.

The home of the late teacher and academic Louie Nelson, the house is now being sold by the executors of her estate. Calling it a “time-warp”, Gordon Lennox said the mid-19th century house had remained much the same for the last 40 years, and that a new buyer would have to tackle the heating and wiring, and would need to put in a new kitchen and bathroom. They might also want to reintegrate the flat into the main house.

“It’s survived the worst of the snow, and I think the integrity of the building is basically sound, but there’s some rising damp in the basement,” he said.The well proportioned rooms include a drawingroom with a deep bay window and a diningroom and study, all with antique open fireplaces. There are two bedrooms, a bathroom and a kitchen with a vinyl tiled floor and earthenware sink. The flat is in the basement. There’s a railed front garden in lawn, with hedges, with direct access from the drawingroom.

Is it likely to sell for more than the asking price? “I don’t know, it’s possible,” said Lennox, “if three people decide they like it and want to buy it.” If that happens it’s likely go to the “best and final offer”, whereby all interested parties are asked to put their best bid in a sealed envelope.

The house is on open view this Saturday from 2pm-4pm.