Moving on from Maretimo - after 71 years

BLACKROCK €1.15M:There are sweeping views of Dublin Bay from the back garden of a 1930s four-bed lived in by several generations of one family, writes ROSE DOYLE

NUMBER 15 Maretimo Gardens East in Blackrock, Co Dublin has come on the market through Savills at €1.15 million.

Part of an enclave of 1930s houses, it fronts onto a quiet cul-de-sac with, to the rear, the unexpected drama of sweeping and spectacular views of Dublin Bay, Dublin city and, on a fine day and with good eyesight, planes as they cruise into Dublin Airport.

Like several other homes at this address, it’s been lived in by generations of the same family since it was built, or, in this case, since 1938. The vendor’s claim that it has “been loved to bits” is evident in a liveable style. The house seamlessly integrates with the terraced back garden which, while not as long as some of the neighbours’, has a shared access to the pedestrian bridge over the Dart, to the seashore.

The addition of a Hampton conservatory/sunroom and conversion of the garage into a study has created a floor area of 149sq m (1,600sq ft). There are four bedrooms, one en suite, two adjoining reception rooms, conservatory, study and kitchen/breakfastroom.

Colours throughout are mostly peaceful whites and a pale, greeny-grey. Original features like doors, picture and dado rails, coving and floorboards are all carefully in place. Replacement windows by Mervin have the depth and appearance of the originals while floorboards in the conservatory have been matched to those in the adjoining reception rooms.

Two original tiled fireplaces in the reception rooms have been replaced by one of smooth marble and another of carved wood.

The hall floor toilet has been put to particularly clever use: smooth tiled and high ceilinged, it has a panelled “wall” which opens, strip by narrow strip, to reveal storage, shelving and nicely packed away utilities such as a freezer and washing machine.

Upstairs, the main, front-facing bedroom has a wide window, wooden floor, extensive wardrobes and an en suite with toilet, wash-hand basin – and has been plumbed for a shower.

A large floored attic has Velux windows and needs little additional work to become a liveable space.

Savills has sold two houses in Maretimo in the last six months: The Towers, a detached house at Maretimo Gardens West, was sold for around €1.5 million, while it also sold number 3 Maretimo Gardens East, for around €1 million.

15 Maretimo Gardens East, Blackrock, Co Dublin

Four-bedroom 149sq m (1,600sq ft) house in a cul-de-sac has 35ft garden with access to a beach

Agent: Savills