Battle of the southside suburbs: Seeking €1.075 million, would you choose a two-bedroom penthouse with world-class views over Killiney Bay, or a detached, four-bedroom builder’s house with a south-facing garden in Monkstown, one of Dublin’s most sought-after seaside suburbs?
Two of Dublin’s southside seaside suburbs have homes that have just come to market seeking€1.075 million.
For buyers at this level, each has plenty of enticing features.
King of the Hill in Killiney
Address: The Penthouse, No.4 Killiney Hill Plaza, Killiney, Co Dublin, A96XR62
Asking price: €1. 075 million
Agent: Sherry FitzGerald Dalkey
High on the hill in the middle of Killiney village, overlooking the sweep of Killiney’s shingle beach, is a penthouse that has privacy and world-class views.
Designed by NBK Architects, Killiney Hill Plaza is an exclusive development of just four units perched on top of Killiney Hill Road, adjacent to the Druid’s Chair hostelry.
Constructed in 2000, it consists of two two-bedroom apartments, a penthouse, and a large three-bedroom townhouse.
The two-bedroom, two-bathroom penthouse offers space, light, and scenery. Extending to 130 square metres, it is sizeable.
The open plan living cum dining room accounts for about 72 square metres of the internal space – that’s the size of many two-bedroom apartments.
The dining area can easily accommodate 10 to 12 people for a sit-down meal.
The living area is set around a raised hearth. In situ, if a large L-shaped sofa that almost looks like a piece of art, there is so much circulation space around it.
Floor-to-ceiling glass doors lead out to the roof terrace, which extends to at least 35 square metres of outdoor space. The views from Killiney Bay to Bray Head from here are spellbinding. In weather like this, the vista will seal the deal.
Set out in artificial lawn, the property backs onto Killiney Park, where the gorse fragrances the air and you can see the obelisk.
In contrast to the living cum dining room, the kitchen feels small. Set out in a galley style, it has plenty of storage and includes an eat-at counter.
It is served by a separate utility, which is a bit of a rarity in modern apartments.
The property has two large double bedrooms, one of which is en suite and opens out to a small terrace. You can, in fact, access the property directly from this bedroom, from the car park, creating a bungalow-vibe entrance via some shallow steps.
The main bedroom is off the living room.
The C1 BER-rated residence comes with two car parking spaces and represents a cost per square metre of about €8,269.
From one beauty spot to another
Address: Achill, Shandon Park, Monkstown, Co. Dublin, A94 X5F1
Asking price: €1,075,000
Agent: Janet Carroll Estate Agents
In 1973, a builder from Achill, Co Mayo, constructed this four-bedroom, four-bathroom detached split-level residence just a few minutes’ walk from another beauty spot and fabled swim spot, Seapoint Strand.
The house is single-storey at the front and split-level at the back, where there is a large south-facing garden.
It is sizeable, extending to 206 square metres. This doesn’t include the additional 137 square metres of storage at garden level.
Some of the décor may seem dated, but don’t let simple changes put you off. The royal purple checked carpet, while both colour and pattern are trending again, will have the neutral brigade coming up in hives.
Instead, focus on the layout and how, with a few cosmetic changes, you could move in and make longer-term Grand Design plans.
At the entrance level is the first of the property’s four bedrooms. It has an en suite bathroom. Across the hall is the dramatic living room with mid-century flourishes, including the vaulted, timber-panelled ceiling and part-brick wall.
The eat-in kitchen is down a level and overlooks the garden. It has a breakfast bar, basketweave oak parquet flooring, and sliding doors out to a terrace that runs the length of the house. There is a utility room to the left, and the family room is to the right. All have garden views.
Up the stairs are three more double bedrooms, two of which are en suite.
While secluded, the location is just off the Monkstown Road, a short walk to the village and an even shorter walk to the sea.
The house has an E BER-rating, which will need addressing, but the scale and structure of the property offer endless possibilities, subject to deep pockets and planning permission. As it is, it is a gorgeous way to buy into one of the city’s most desired seaside suburbs.
It represents a price per square metre of about €5,218.
