Hillside house with dramatic views for €5m

High on the hill in Dalkey, Torca Hill has some of the best views on the southside, writes Orna Mulcahy, Property Editor

A modern house on 1.25 acres of grounds high on Dalkey Hill in Dalkey, Co Dublin is expected to make over €5 million at auction through Lisney on May 11th.

Torca Hill, at the top of Torca Road, has an end-of-the-world feel to it, and a narrow approach that will terrify guests. However, once you arrive there, the views are quite stunning in all directions.

Lisney's Tom Day, who has been selling houses in the area for decades, says that Torca Hill has one of the very best views on the southside, and it was this that attracted builder Joe Shannon and his wife, Gwen, to the property about 12 years ago. They demolished the original cottage on the site, and built a Mediterranean-style two-storey over garden level house that makes the most of views.

The grounds, which rise steeply up the hill behind the house, have been landscaped with gravel pathways leading up to a viewing platform that looks very like a helicopter pad. A stand of eucalyptus trees marks the boundary of the property on one side, while below the house is a public pathway leading all the way to Killiney Hill.

Wide steps lead up to the front door which opens into the bedroom level. There are four bedrooms, including the main one with its two en suite bathrooms and separate dressingrooms. The room is warmed by the morning sun and a wide bay window offers a stunning vista towards Bray Head. The three remaining rooms all have en suites.

An impressive staircase leads to the upper floor where there's a fine drawingroom running from front-to-back of the house, and an even better sea view. Double doors lead through to a big family room, used in winter when the wind howls in from the sea. Both these reception rooms have impressive modern fireplaces and both have French doors leading to a patio at the back of the house, facing up Dalkey Hill. Beyond the family room is the kitchen - a slick black and white space that looks as though it has hardly been used, and comes with all appliances included. It leads through to the diningroom and conservatory. These are all fine bright and spacious rooms in a total floor area of around 316sq m (3,400sq ft).

A small suite of rooms two floors below, at garden level, would be suitable as a staff flat, having a studio room, kitchen and shower.

New owners will undoubtedly wish to refurbish the house in their own style; there is plenty of space to build on too. The land is zoned residential so there's further scope to develop, subject the necessary planning permission.

The real appeal of Torca Hill is the exclusive location and the obvious potential with 1.25 acres to play with. The €5 million price tag makes it look relatively good value compared to the runaway prices being paid for large redbricks closer to town. With many executives no longer tied to their desk and able to operate from home, Dalkey has enormous appeal for anyone who doesn't have to commute to the city at peak times.