In the wars but worth the 'Waite

Dún Laoghaire AMV €500,000Benwell is a pre-war semi-detached house on Crosthwaite Park West, in walking distance of Dún Laoghaire.

With three bedrooms, it is in need of complete modernisation. There is no central heating and the layout needs reconfiguring for modern family life, but the house has potential. The property measures 141sq m (1,515sq ft) and has an AMV of €500,000 through agents Lisney.

To the right off a small hall with parquet flooring are two main reception rooms. A third room, currently a study, could be merged with the hall to facilitate storage and brighten the entrance.

A sittingroom to the front has a mahogany fireplace with beaten copper insert. To the rear, a similarly sized diningroom has French doors leading to a small patio that gets the evening sun.

The kitchen has a quarry tiled floor and is the room most in need of refurbishment. It has dual-aspect windows and room to extend out to the side and back of the house. One of the neighbours has added a two-storey extension, and something similar would open up this house.

The kitchen leads out to a laundry room and garage, with a shower room off it.

On the upper floor, the stairs split. Two steps lead up to the first of three double bedrooms. It has a vaulted ceiling and overlooks the front. The master has a large picture window and a sweet wrought-iron fireplace with pink tile surround. The third bedroom overlooks the back and has a similar fireplace. The family bathroom has a blue suite and a separate toilet has a large hot-press.

Benwell has a large west-facing garden, about 30m long and in need of cutting back. There is also a pond laden with frogspawn and hopping with activity.

Crosthwaite Park is an address with literary connections. John Millington Synge moved into No 31 in 1890 when his mother decided she wanted to live next-door to her daughter. It served as his home and base for the next 16 years until the family vacated it in 1906.

The auction takes place at 4pm on March 13th at Lisney’s Dún Laoghaire office.

Benwell, Crosthwaite, Park West, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin

DescriptionThree-bedroom pre-war semi in need of complete modernisation

AgentLisney