There are several highly original and stylish features in Pemberton, a new development of detached fourbedroom dormer bungalows on Herbert Road, Bray, Co Wicklow, the first phase of which will be launched on the market this weekend. Houses will cost £355,000.
Beautifully situated on a sloped site which offers views of Bray Head and the little Sugarloaf and a panorama of the Wicklow hills, each of the 29 bungalows is partially clad in a mix of Wicklow granite and Howth stone. The rest of the house is rendered and painted cream.
Nine houses, which will be ready between May and August, are being released now; overall, 29 are planned. The joint selling agents are Ross McParland and H J Byrne. The showhouse will be open this Saturday from noon to 2.30 p.m.
The main entrance is through stained glass double doors at the side of the house. They open into a small entrance hall with a cloakroom, which opens into a larger hall. All the downstairs rooms are situated off this.
One of the most interesting features of the house is that these rooms are at varying levels, in a style reminiscent of better-designed split-level 1970s homes. To the front of the house is the drawingroom, which, with its 11-ft-high ceiling, is the piece de resistance. It is reached via a set of glass-panelled solid oak doors three steps down from the front hall. The drawingroom is set on a slightly lower level than the adjoining diningroom. With two windows to the front, one arched window to the side and double doors on to a front patio, this room has an abundance of light. A fireplace with a carved wood overmantel, black cast-iron inset and black tiling, offers a focal point to this marvellous room. The diningroom which adjoins the drawingroom is a substantial 17 sq ft. It has access to the front patio through another set of double doors. The ceilings of both the diningroom and the drawingroom have been embellished with period-style coving.
A small downstairs washroom is also situated on this level. At 17 sq ft, the kitchen is also well proportioned with adequate space for a goodsized kitchen table in the centre of the room. Oak panelled kitchen cupboards are fitted along two walls to accommodate a hob and double oven.
Details here include a carved wine rack and a food cupboard with carved features on the doors. A larger than average utility room, with plenty more storage presses, as well as adequate space for a washing machine and dryer, leads off the kitchen to the back door.
A family room is situated on the same level as the kitchen, with double doors on to the back patio. A sunroom leading off the family room is a possible feature: its addition would increase the purchase price by £14,000 to £369,000.
Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, two of which have large en suite shower rooms, and a good-sized-family bathroom. A Velux window sheds light on the landing. There is also a good sized walk-in hot press.
All external doors are solid oak Rationel design doors with three-point locking systems.
Perhaps the only disadvantages of these luxury homes are the small front and back gardens and the absence of a garage. While the gravelled drive will accommodate two cars, the gardens will not allow avid gardeners much free rein. The entire development is situated on a six-and-three-quarter acre site. At five houses per acre, this is, according to the agent, one house less per acre than the site was originally zoned for. Each house occupies approximately 2,000 sq ft. The agent believes Pemberton will appeal to families in Bray keen to upgrade their homes or indeed, to homeowners in the south County Dublin area who want a new house at a price well below many older homes with similar accommodation. A second house style in Pemberton will be launched later this year.
