The Canadian government is selling its Irish residence on nine acres of parkland with dramatic sea views. Frances O'Rourkereports.
For years, Canadian diplomats regarded Dublin as a desirable posting - especially because of the Canadian ambassador's residence here: Strathmore, a fine Victorian house on over nine acres of garden and parkland with views across Killiney Bay to the Sugar Loaf, came with the job.
But the Canadian government has decided to sell the 760sq m (8,200sq ft) property: Canada's new ambassador, Pat Binns, has moved into an apartment in The Four Seasons Hotel in Ballsbridge just as estate agent Lisney is preparing for the sale of the house by tender. It is looking for €17 million-plus, with a deadline of November 1st for bids.
Strathmore is a large, elegant house bordered by tall eucalyptus trees across the road from Bono's Vico Road home - and it's only five minutes' walk to Killiney Dart station and the sea. There are practically no estates this large left for sale in Dublin's suburbs, making this a definite trophy buy.
Although it's possible that a number of houses could be built on the acres of garden that roll down the hill from the house, it's unlikely to be bought for its development potential: anyone who wants this house will also want the seclusion that comes with it, says agent David Bewley. The property does have three entrances however - from Killiney Hill Road, Strathmore Road and the Vico Road - and planning permission might be possible for some development.
Strathmore was built in 1860 and extensively remodelled by English architect Oliver Hill in the 1940s, who was influenced by Edward Luytens, before the Canadian government bought it in 1956 for its lucky ambassadors.
One whole side of the house faces south-east, looking out to sea over the roofs of apartments built on the site of the nearly adjacent former Killiney Court Hotel. The large elegant drawingroom downstairs, and all five bedrooms upstairs, enjoy this view through tall nearly floor-to-ceiling windows.
Former Canadian ambassador to Ireland Michael Phillips, who lived at Strathmore with his Irish wife Oonagh when he was Canada's ambassador to Ireland in the late 1990s, says: "Thousands of people, both Irish and Canadian, have enjoyed the welcomes of this unique house. I often stood outside on the patio looking over the sweep of the bay toward Bray Head and it was always breathtaking. I suspect the new owners will sometimes wonder why the Canadian government decided to part with this very special residence."
An impressive entrance hall opens into the long, elegant drawingroom nearly the depth of the house, Strathmore's most striking feature along with the main bedroom suite upstairs. A light bright room still furnished with comfortable, elegant sofas, chairs and occasional tables - and with a grand piano in the large bay window at the front - the drawingroom is the perfect setting for parties: you nearly expect the Ferrero Rocher man to stroll in at any moment.
The room has striking porticos, a massive limestone fireplace with a copper hood, and a floor of Portland stone and oak parquet. Double folding French doors open onto a large terrace the length of the room. The diningroom is across the hall in a second bay-windowed room. A long barrel-vaulted hall leads past a clubby library with a vaulted roof to stairs to the second level. The main bedroom suite stretches across the width of the house at the front, with a dressingroom, en suite and main bedroom looking over the sea to the Sugar Loaf. A nearly matching bedroom at the back of the house has a large bay window.
The house has not been modernised for some years, and new owners would likely revamp bathrooms and the basement kitchen area: this is a large, comfortable catering kitchen, but old fashioned by today's kitchen standards.
There are plenty of other rooms and quirky details in the residence suited to its function, including back stairs leading down to the kitchen, a staff sittingroom near the kitchen, two guest bedroom suites in the basement, a large walk-in hot press on the top landing and a small study.
The nine acres of garden and parkland include a walled garden, towering eucalyptus trees and lawn. The garden provided many of the fresh vegetables and flowers needed in the house. There is also a gate-lodge. Three staff are still employed full-time to tend the property.
