10 Hillside Drive - Rathfarnham

Solidly built pre-war houses are much sought-after in south Dublin. They don't come on the market all that frequently, since families tend to remain in them for years. With prices escalating for older, period redbricks closer to the city, these homes, built by firms such as Stringer and Kenny, are increasingly seen as an alternative by buyers wanting to upgrade and remain within easy commuting distance of the city. They appeal for their multiplicity of rooms and large gardens. Well-finished, often with ceiling cornicing and good insulation, they are usually in established areas with ready access to schools, colleges, shops and parks.

One such property is Ardenza, at 10 Hillside Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14. The four-bed room property which stands on a quarter of an acre, of garden, is to be auctioned by Lisney on October 27th with a guide price of £520,000-plus.

This detached house was built around 1938 by Pickerington and has been in the one family for over 40 years. While the decor would benefit from upgrading, the spacious rooms are well-proportioned and the garden is well cared for. Hillside Park is in a mature residential area known as Castle Park near the Castle Golf Club.

Like many homes of this vintage, Ardenza has a good-sized hall. There is an under-stairs cupboard with shelving. Also off the hall is a guest lavatory.

The drawingroom has a modern tiled fireplace, ceiling cornicing, and a picture window overlooking the front garden. There is also a diningroom with ceiling cornicing, as well as a family room with a tiled fireplace and sliding doors to the patio area and rear garden.

The kitchen/breakfastroom has a range of fitted presses and worktops, with a part-tiled wall. It is plumbed for a dishwasher. A door leads to a shelved pantry and to the rear hallway, where there is another lavatory and a utility room. New owners might choose to amalgamate these rooms to create a larger living space.

A staircase with an oak hand-rail leads upstairs where there are four bedrooms - two doubles and two large singles. The bathroom has a bath and Mira shower. There is a separate lavatory and a large, walk-in hotpress. Access to the attic is via a pulldown ladder.

The front garden is laid out in lawn with mature shrubbery, trees and hedges. There is plenty of off-street parking, as well as a garage and gated access either side of the house.

The rear garden is mainly in lawn, with well-stocked flower beds and a range of fruit trees. There is also a patio area and a small summer house.

The house is alarmed and has oil-fired central heating. Recreational amenities in the area include Bushy Park, Dodder Park and Marlay Park.