Take a good look at a hidden pile

Killiney/€3m-plus: The houses hidden behind the tall walls that line Killiney Hill Road can only be glimpsed from the seaside - DART travellers get the best, if fleeting view of the impressive Victorian piles high up on the hill.

Saintbury is one of these houses, built in an idiosyncratic style typical of its period and the location: it has a castellated centre section flanked by two storeys with deep bay windows.

It is now semi-detached: it and its neighbour were once a single house that was divided into two houses several years ago.

For all that, Saintbury at 390 sq m (4,200 sq ft), is very large with five bedrooms, particularly grand reception rooms and a 0.75-acre garden.

It is expected to make €3 million-plus at auction through HOK on October 6th.

The house last changed hands 15 years ago and the present owners renovated before moving in.

It is two storey, split-level with most of the principal rooms, including the bedrooms, enjoying uninterrupted sea views.

The modest front door opens into a spacious, square-shaped hall with leaded glass windows and high ceilings. Off it is a very large, formal drawing-room, and two large bedrooms, all with sea views.

One of the bedrooms has a bathroom-sized en suite and a walk-in wardrobe. Also on this level is another bedroom, a small study and a rather dated family bathroom.

Downstairs at garden level there is a modernised eat-in kitchen, adjacent to a large family room, which mirrors in size and style the drawingroom upstairs.

There are also two more bedrooms, a spacious utility area, storage rooms and another, dated-looking, bathroom.

While the kitchen is large, new owners will probably consider reworking the kitchen and utility space and maybe adding a large conservatory to the side of house - all to make better use of the space and take best advantage of the spectacular views.

New owners might also change how they use the rooms, opting for fewer bedrooms and more reception rooms, a choice that's easily facilitated by the split-level design.

A further source of potential is the detached two-storey garage to the side.

In all, it's a private and quiet setting. There is access from a gate onto Saintbury lane and a pedestrian entrance out onto Killiney Hill Road.

The house shares driveway access with its neighbour.