Portobello house for €870,000

A HOUSE BY the Grand Canal, number 29 Portobello Road, is across the road from Locks, one of the city's best neighbourhood restaurants. As well as elegant eateries there is a canal walkway literally on your front door.

The setting is perfect for city slickers yet the house retains a great sense of privacy thanks to its walled and gated front access.

It is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald for €870,000. The three-bedroom, double-fronted property has been thoughtfully refurbished and retains most of its period features. The 14ft high ceilings also add to a sense of grandeur. Its proportions will appeal to downsizers already accustomed to such details. New black and white tiles in the hall add continuity to the external and original tiled path.

The two front rooms are the nicest in the house. These are both double bedrooms with a third double located to the back. At present the reception rooms are also located to the rear. The integrated kitchen has a Belfast-style sink and a Neff gas hob. It is accessed through the lounge and opens onto a west-facing decked courtyard with side access. A small garden shed functions as the utility room with a dryer installed here.

Given the canal bank views available from the front rooms, new owners may be tempted to reduce the number of bedrooms from three to two to reclaim what is now the main bedroom as a formal livingroom.

At 87sq m (935sq ft), number 29 is a small but perfectly formed property, rich in atmosphere and feels very private once you close the front door.

The golden gravel garden at the front faces due south. This is where the next owner will want to spend most of their time as this is people-watching central. While the space is overlooked, the garden is contained within its own granite walls which helps distance you from the world that is going by.

The installation of some garden seating would help you enjoy the views, the swans and other wildlife, the fishermen and other canalites.

29 Portobello Road, Portobello, Dublin 8

Three-bed villa-style house with Grand Canal views and an asking price of €840,000.

Agent:Sherry FitzGerald