Old meets new on Mount Merrion Ave

Number 81 Mount Merrion Avenue, formerly Beechcroft, was originally a Victorian house on almost half an acre of grounds – considerable development potential – when it sold at auction in 2005. Grasia Developments bought the property, paying €5.5 million, double the then AMV of €2.75 million. Now the 394 sq m (4,240 sq ft) property is back on the market asking €1.925 million through agents Savills.

John Deaton of Deaton Lysaght Architects, best known for the work they did on Auburn House, the period home of aviation entrepreneur Ulick McEvaddy was hired to completely refurbish the detached five-bed home. In the grounds he designed another detached house, number 81a, which went sale agreed recently for more than €1.4 million following huge interest at the viewings; and the two semi-detached houses to the rear whose entrances are on Southwood Park.

Number 81 came to market briefly in June 2012 asking €1.8million through then agents Colliers when it was unfinished. While it had been rewired, replumbed, had high-spec double glazing and under-floor heating throughout the house, it had no flooring or wardrobes. It looked as if building work had stopped overnight.

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The house has now been completed and is back on the market, staged for sale so that it looks pristine throughout. The bay-windowed reception rooms on either side of the hall have limed oak floors, marble fireplaces and a tasteful grey paintscape. A large extension to the rear incorporates a sizeable painted kitchen, a diningroom and a lounge, with access from each to the outside and the sandstone-paved northwest facing rear. There is a study off the lounge that, compared with the other rooms, feels dark.

Deep-pile carpeting on the stairs and bedrooms feels luxurious. Three of five bedrooms have en suite shower rooms, styled to include bed linen and even towels in the bathrooms. All the rooms have lots of wardrobe space.

The master bedroom on the first-floor return feels enormous, especially when contrasted with the small dressingroom that’s en route to the master en-suite bathroom.

From here the Mount Merrion car and bus traffic is audible. The house has a B3 Ber rating.

Bar the facade there are few remaining period features in the property. The surrounding development has compromised the garden, leaving a small green space to the front and side of the house that faces Mount Merrion Avenue.

Off-street parking for several cars is accessed via electronic gates on Southwood Park.