A large detached house in the heart of D6 has potential in its 0.6-acre garden writes Bernice Harrison
Big detached houses with good gardens aren't exactly a rarity in Dublin 6 but a house this size - 15 Grosvenor Road has 511sq m (5,500sq ft) of space and sitson 0.6 of an acre - is unusual.
Douglas Newman Good is guiding €5.75 million for the three-storey six-bedroom house, prior to auction on November 9th. It sits on a prominent corner with extensive road frontage and clear development potential. A previous owner secured planning permission to build 12 apartments on part of the garden and, while this planning has now lapsed, it's an indication of what can be done.
Given the strength of the upper end of the market it's not entirely unlikely that new buyers, like the current owners, won't be immediately interested in the development potential and will be more attracted by the sheer size, style and flexibility of the house.
The current owners bought the house in good condition eight years ago. They updated the kitchen, installed new bathrooms, redecorated in a simple airy style and landscaped the garden.
The three principal reception rooms are elegant and large. There's one to the left of the hall and two interconnecting rooms on the other side. These are particularly attractive as they feature a deep bay window to the side overlooking the garden and the back reception room opens out onto a balcony.
The bright, smart-looking kitchen has painted timber units topped with Iroko worktops and kitted out with a four-oven Aga as well as an additional cooker and the usual range of appliances which are all part of the sale.
Also at this level is a small study, a utility room, and a pantry.
Upstairs there are four square-shaped high-ceilinged double bedrooms. Two share an en suite shower room while the main bedroom has a full-size en suite bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe. There's also a family bathroom.
Downstairs at garden level there are two more bedrooms, a fully-fitted kitchen with double doors out onto the garden, a playroom and TV room. Depending on the new owners' requirements, this ground floor area could be used as a self-contained unit or own-door work space.
At some time in the past, the original coach-house to the side was incorporated into the main part of the house to provide extra accommodation; this could easily be reversed if new owners want a separate mews.
On the other side of the house is a lovely old-fashioned pitched roof three-car garage.
The enormous back garden is similarly charming and old fashioned, with a small orchard, mature trees and extensive lawn all behind a tall perimeter hedge. To the front there's a driveway with parking for several cars.
For a virtual tour of this property, click on nicemove.ie
