As adroit an architect as he was a TV presenter, Hugh Wallace’s skills are on show in this large and bright contemporary two-bed apartment within a Georgian townhouse development in Dublin 2, €745k.
Given the age of Dublin city, the refurbishment of its heritage buildings into apartment blocks is a relatively new concept.
Now we see many big houses in the suburbs being subdivided in creative ways to allow them to accommodate more than just one family.
Address: Apartment 21, 18-21 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, D02 W688
Asking price: €745,000
Agent: Murphy Mullan
The city’s southside Georgian quarter includes Lower Mount Street, where three townhouses on the western side of the street form part of a development of 27 apartments, designed by Douglas Wallace Architects, led by the late Hugh Wallace.
The idea was to bring buildings back into residential use. The original buildings house 10 units, with 17 additional apartments in a new building called Block B, a contemporary-designed three-storey plus penthouse block built in 2008 to the rear of the converted Georgian houses.
Number 21 is situated on the sub-penthouse or second floor and overlooks a courtyard communal garden. This green space is maintained by SAS Landscapes, whose co-founder and director, Scott D. Renwick, won a silver medal at Bloom this year for his debut show garden.
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment is very smartly proportioned, with floor-to-ceiling glazing in the lounge framing the botanical views.
Extending to 90 square metres, it is also very spacious, with room to breathe throughout and much thought given to the location of wardrobes and other storage so that it feels uncluttered.
The lofty ceiling heights and one-and-a-half-height glazing help beam light into the dining and kitchen areas of its open-plan space.
The living area opens out to an east-facing balcony that overlooks the well-maintained grounds, which include a raised deck that you step up to, a glazed, covered walkway between the original and new buildings, ideal for rainy days, and mature planting.
The kitchen is set in a C-shape with silver granite worktops and splashbacks that contrast with the pale vanilla gloss cupboard doors. There is plenty of storage and workspace here for the greatest of gourmands.
Both bedrooms are at the far side of the property, to the left of the entrance hall, so far away from any late-night revelry. Each has built-in wardrobes and large picture windows beaming natural light in.
The primary has a shower ensuite. The main bathroom has a shower in its bath.
The property comes with two secure underground parking spaces and an individual storage room, great for sports equipment.
Agents Murphy Mullan is seeking €745,000 for the B BER-rated property, whose annual management fee is €3865 per annum, with an additional current building investment fund of €2182 per annum to maintain the complex over the next 30 years.
The location is top-notch. Your local here could be the rather fabulously decorated Leinster Hotel. Designed by O’Donnell O’Neill, who recently completed the €8 million refurbishment of the Mount Juliet resort in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.
