Grand scale sets classic on an acre apart

Booterstown: €3.5mA fine period house on an acre of gardens in one of south Dublin's most sought-after spots is secluded behind a bank of mature trees, writes Eoin Lyons

Bellevue House in Booterstown is a five-bedroom mid 19th century property of which the original surrounding lands were sold some years ago to developers who encircled it with townhouses.

With a guide price of €3.5 million prior to auction by Sherry FitzGerald on October 12th, this fine house clearly still has much appeal and may be bought by someone who will continue to use it as a family home, or by another developer who will find inspiration from its 465sq m (5,000sq ft) and one acre of gardens.

The house is situated amidst the 1960s semi-detached houses that lie between the Merrion Road on one side and the Stillorgan dual carriageway on the other.

It is secluded behind plentiful banks of trees and, once through the obligatory electronic gates, one could be anywhere but a built-up area.

Thankfully, the neighbouring houses are not close enough to be seen from many rooms.

The exterior of the house is impressive and this feeling continues inside. The entrance hall is very wide and bright with a high ornate ceiling.

It is split-level and has a vista along a wide corridor with glimpses of the many rooms that lead from it.

To the left and right are two bay windowed livingrooms.

The house is good condition but the decoration hardly matters - new owners will want to revamp the whole place - what's unusual is the scale of accommodation.

Also on the hall floor are three bedrooms: the large main bedroom has an en suite, as does another next to it and the third is also of good size.

On the return is a fourth bedroom with shower room en suite.

Downstairs at garden level is the diningroom, a family room, the kitchen/breakfast room, a home office and a fifth bedroom with shower room.

All these rooms lead off a wide corridor that matches the upper floor. There is also a gym, various utilities and cloakroom. Outside, there is a garage and a sunken south-facing patio.