Merging two apartments into one has created a large three-bedroom home in what has become one of Dublin's most sought after apartment blocks, Herbert Park Lane, in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Due for auction on June 8th, it is expected to make £850,000-plus according to selling agents Gunne Residential. At 1,850 sq ft, 38/39 The Oaks is the largest unit to come on the market in the development since it was built in the early 1990s. As many of the larger apartments were kept as investments by the developers, the double unit has a certain rarity value. It also has a very good position at the hotel end of the development, directly overlooking the Herbert Park bandstand.
Two west-facing balconies, one very long and with plenty of room for sitting out, have terrific views over the tops of chestnut, maple and willow trees in the park. The hotel is a few yards from the entrance to The Oaks. Robin Palmer of Gunne Residential expects interest to come mainly from Ballsbridge residents trading down from one of the large period houses in the area. It would equally suit a well-to-do buyer from out of town.
The apartment is on the fourth floor and, in keeping with a property in this price bracket, is fitted out luxuriously. An inner hallway and two spacious adjoining drawing and diningrooms have honey-coloured maple floors. The two balconies are off each room, through French doors. Folding mahogany doors lead to the drawingroom, which has a coved ceiling cornice and unusual corner marble fireplace, also with a coal-effect fire. Wide French doors open out to the larger balcony.
Off the drawingroom, the kitchen has a Shaker-style maple kitchen, with built-in bookshelves and a complete range of Miele electrical equipment. Floor and walls are ceramic tiled. One of several light-fittings throughout the apartment, which incorporate a decorative ceiling fan, is in the kitchen.
Bedroom one is L-shaped, with a range of built-in wardrobes and an en suite tiled bathroom. Two further bedrooms are small doubles with fitted wardrobes. It would be a simple matter to join these two rooms together with the main bathroom to make one very grand bedroom suite. There is a third guest bathroom off the hallway. Four car-park spaces are included with this apartment - probably worth £40,000 each at today's values.
