In 2003, when 12 Corrig Park in Dun Laoghaire last came on the market, it was similar to its bungalow neighbours, all built in the 1940s on land belonging to the long-demolished Corrig Castle.
It was larger though, taking up a double site, which encouraged its architect buyer to try something a bit more ambitious than a standard renovation. Now on the market again, it is a very different proposition – a clearly transformed building that has been divided into two separate properties.
The larger, number 12, is a four-bedroom house with 190sq m (2,045sq ft), lived in by the family, and 12A is a 73sq m (781sq ft) two-bedroom adjoining house, which has been rented out in recent years.
It’s a very personal renovation designed to suit the tastes of its owners – who are now downsizing. There is a distinct Japanese feeling in the living space, not to mention the Mount Fuji-styled barbecue in the west-facing rear garden, and throughout there are signs of considered choices, including the purple-painted front doors and plum-coloured exterior walls.
New entrance
The new entrance to the larger house was created by demolishing the garage, which gave it a double-height mostly glazed entrance hall, with a short flight of stairs leading up to two bathrooms, one Japanese-style, three double-bedrooms, a small home office and the utility room. Despite appearances from the road, a cul-de sac, this is a two-storey house.
The windows to the front are upstairs bedroom windows and the open living area is down a level facing the rear, where the wall of floor-to-ceiling glazing – windows and doors – and stone floor give it a modern airy feel. The kitchen, dining and main living area flow into each other and there is small separate room used as a cosy snug by the owners, but the absence of a window possibly limits its uses for new owners.
Also at this level is a lovely bedroom, with a large, south-facing window looking out to the garden. It has its own adjoining wet room and for a reason not entirely clear its own staircase leading to the first floor level. Other features include a plumbed bar area and a wall of custom-designed display shelves and there is good storage throughout. An usual feature is the cellar – used as a storage area and as a work room.
The adjoining two-bedroom house, number 12A, has the feeling of a modern mews, with two bedrooms and guest toilet at hall level and an open-plan kitchen and living room downstairs, with the same wall of glass looking out onto a private garden.
There is off-street parking to the front for three or four cars. 12 and 12A Corrig Park is for sale through Lisney for €1.25 million
