Detached house in Donnybrook for €1.7m

Retired financier Peter Sayers and his wife, Rosemary, purchased 63 Nutley Road in Donnybrook on their return from Singapore in 1994. After spending a year renovating and doubling the size of the detached property, they moved in with their three sons. Now left with an almost empty nest they have placed their home on the market through estate agent Colliers to be auctioned on April 9th with an AMV of €1.7m.

Number 63 is bright with evidence of the Sayers’ time in Asia in the furnishing of the property. A polished wooden chicken coop now houses the family’s pottery and a howdah, which once graced the spine of an elephant, now provides unusual seating for guests.

The house, says Peter, is great for entertaining and the family have had up to 150 guests at parties. Standing at 315sq m (3,400sq ft) this is a substantial home, with four reception rooms, six bedrooms and a large kitchen.

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The kitchen, in limed oak with solid oak flooring, overlooks a bright conservatory to the rear and the garden to the front. From here a livingroom with an Edwardian replica fireplace is set down three steps and was inspired by Peter’s time in the US.

A large diningroom lies beside a colossal drawingroom which has French windows leading to the rear garden and is warmed by a marble gas fire.

The large conservatory set to the rear of the kitchen would be perfect for growing tropical plants and a beam running across the roof is crying out for a vine. From the conservatory there is access to a small patio where the family has breakfast on sunny mornings.

Upstairs are six bedrooms with two en suites and a further family bathroom.

Number 63 is a fine-sized family home in one of Dublin’s leafiest suburbs. Because the renovations were carried out almost 20 years ago, new owners would have plenty of scope to redecorate. What will attract buyers to number 63 is the substantial rear garden, with its plum, apple and pear trees. It has much potential as the house stands on .35 of an acre, and the view of next door’s garden from upstairs will show new owners what can be achieved with a little imagination and flair.

Houses on Nutley Road have always commanded high prices. Number 28, a four-bed, sold last June for €1.15 million, and number 53, also with four bedrooms, is currently asking €1.1 million. Given that number 63 has six bedrooms and oodles of space, it should attract interest at auction next month.