Balmy study in eco-friendly restoration

Dublin 8 €970,000Stepping into any unoccupied house, there's one thing you can rely on: the cold. With no one there to turn on and off the heater, the cooker and the hot water, most houses quickly lose any heat they once retained.

Broomfield, however, is positively balmy, which is likely down to its energy efficiency; most homes that date back as far as Broomfield, which was built in 1830, have a BER rating of D2 or even E1. It has a BER rating of B3, which, according to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, is what one could expect of a house built between 2008 and 2009.

Though it dates back to the early 19th century, Broomfield, on sale through DNG, was bought and refurbished around two years ago, having been fire damaged some years previously and subsequently lain vacant for some time.

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Today, it is a study in careful, considered restoration; its current owners had originally planned to move in themselves, meaning that work done to the house was done with occupation, not sale, in mind. This means an integrated sound system, underfloor heating and an impressive, fully tiled kitchen with fitted high-gloss units and granite worktops.

Out the back there is a walled, south-facing garden on two levels. The lower is paved and the upper is landscaped with shrubbery and trees – and even an outside tap. The garden is accessed by a perhaps slightly excessive four doors, two of which are from the kitchen-cum-dining room, one of which is from the downstairs hall – from which a shower room and utility room are accessed – and the fourth of which leads into the first of two reception rooms, with large bay windows.

The second reception room is the only room in the house without original shutters; after the fire, the shutters were too badly damaged to be restored, and instead were replaced with convincing replicas.

On the first-floor return, the master bedroom is en suite and overlooks the back garden. There is a large bathroom with bath and power shower, as well as a Velux window; the whole house is surprisingly bright, considering its age.

Three more bedrooms are on the top floor – one large, with en suite, and two small, overlooking the front and back gardens, respectively. Of course, these “bedrooms” have plenty of potential as offices, studies or playrooms, depending on the needs of their future occupiers.

Broomfield is an impressive example of renovation done right, and in a city-centre location, to boot – but this kind of expertise doesn’t come cheap. It boasts – along with period features, an impressive energy rating and security cameras front and rear – an asking price of a cool €970,000.

Bloomfield, 67 South Circular Road, Dublin 8

Description Four-bed, early 19th-century house; refurbished, energy efficient and modernised with walled garden and parking for four cars

Agent DNG