What lies behind this Dublin 4 turnaround?

Number 244 Merrion Road is a mid-terrace Victorian just beyond Our Lady Queen of Peace church. The current owners engaged ODOS architects to refurbish and extend the property in 2013. All that remains of the original building is the facade, a mezzanine office, and a livingroom overlooking Merrion Road. This room has painted white floorboards and white walls which reflect the light coming through the original window, creating the illusion of a larger space. It still retains an original cast-iron fireplace.

The rest of the property is in sharp contrast with the Victorian era from which the house dates; it is all clean lines, glass and monochrome palettes.

At the point where the original property ends, there now stands what appears to be a floating kitchen, which overlooks a double-height glass atrium – throwing lots of light into the house. To the rear is the diningroom – with the atrium on one side and the back garden on the other.

A new staircase surrounded by black slats – an ODOS signature – leads to the garden level. Here there is an abundance of space – the house was originally 132sq m, but now measures 186sq m (2,000sq ft). A long corridor fitted with open shelving allows the rooms at garden level to be clutter free. There are three bedrooms, all of which are en suite, and a separate family bathroom. The old coal hole is now a utility area, which sits adjacent to a front door at garden level.

Facing the atrium

The master bedroom has two full walls of glass, though new owners will probably want to install blinds or curtains on one side for privacy as this room faces the atrium – as does the second bedroom. The master opens out onto the back garden which extends to a generous 31 metres.

Currently the garden has a simple layout and could do with some landscaping due to its size. Neighbours have erected a mews in their garden, so there may be potential to do similar here, subject to the usual permissions. Parking is to the rear of the property in Ailesbury Gardens.

Seen from the front, the house from the is totally deceptive as to the internal space, and also to the extent of the back garden.

Number 244 is a 15-minute walk to the Dart station, there's a bus stop outside, and it is on the market with Sherry FitzGerald seeking €825,000.