Slice of history in Eccles Street

WELL-OFF medics will be the first in the queue to view one of the most interesting Georgian townhouses to hit the Dublin market for years. It’s a rare double-fronted house at 64 Eccles Street, Dublin 7, directly opposite the Mater Private Hospital and it comes with a fascinating history.

It was the home of the celebrated Irish architect of Georgian Dublin, Francis Johnston, who is best known for his work on Sackville Street, the GPO, Nelson’s Pillar and the Chapel Royal in Dublin Castle.

Johnston lived for many years at 64 Eccles Street and when he doubled it in size, he gave it a conspicuous touch by providing ornaments on the front façade and an octagonal room at the rear with a lantern roof.

It was later the home of Sir Isaac Butt, founder of the Home Rule Movement in Ireland, who was equally well known for running up debts and pursuing romances.

In recent years the house has been used as a residential care centre and new owners will have to spend a considerable amount converting it either to consulting rooms, a small hotel or a very grand townhouse. There is scope to build a block of apartments or office suites on a large rear site fronting onto St Joseph’s Parade. Most of the adjoining houses have been extended in recent years, either by medical consultants or medical companies.

With Jonathan Preston of Savills quoting €1.7 million for the four-storey over basement house with a floor area of 532sq m (5,732sq ft), the price works out at around €3,229 per sq m (€300 a sq ft) – reasonably good value in this location. Let’s hope the new owners will give it the attention it deserves.