Mystery buyer pays €7.5m for Canadian ambassador’s home

In what is likely to be among the top sales of the year, Strathmore, the former Canadian ambassador’s residence in Killiney, has been sold in recent weeks for €7.5 million. The home, one of Dublin’s most important residential properties, went on the market last July for €8 million through Simon Ensor of Sherry FitzGerald.

The purchase by an unidentified buyer is shrouded in secrecy – Ensor was giving nothing away. However a US entrepreneur operating in the travel sector has been linked to the sale. As the second most expensive house for sale in the county (after Sorrento House), interest in the 750sq m (8,073sq ft) mansion on nine acres would have been restricted to a select few. If Strathmore is to be used as a private residence the planning authorities should be hearing from the new owners soon, as a significant refurbishment will be required to convert the home from its former embassy use.

Strathmore was acquired in 2008 by property developer Michael Roden, when he traded an opulent 604sq m (6,500sq ft) home on Oakley Road, Ranelagh, and about €3.01 million in cash for it. It was for sale for €17 million at the time. Roden reportedly planned to renovate Strathmore but those plans never materialised.

Since Roden’s acquisition, Strathmore has been available to rent for €10,000 per month. It was reported a couple of years ago that U2 recorded part of their new album there – no doubt because of its convenient location, across the street from Bono’s Temple Hill and minutes from The Edge’s house.