Killiney/€2.25m: A Tudor revival home in Killiney with a guide of €2.25m has been refurbished by its owners to an extremely high standard. Eoin Lyons reports
Tudor Lodge, Violet Hill, Killiney is noted in Peter Pearson's book of Dublin architecture Between the Mountains and the Sea for its wide five-bayed treble-gabled exterior, making it one of the more authentic Tudor revival buildings in the area. It is to be auctioned by Sherry Fitzgerald on March 31st with a guide price of €2.25 million.
Violet Hill is a small road off Church Road in Killiney with about half a dozen houses. The driveway to Tudor Lodge approaches the house from the side. The 492 sq m (5,300 sq ft) house sits on about 0.6 of an acre, which although large, seems small in comparison to the size of the house.
The property could well appeal to those looking for a fine house without the burden of a large garden. The surrounding houses are quite near but there is a sense of privacy around Tudor Lodge, and no the feeling of being overlooked.
The family who are selling the four-bedroom house previously lived in America and this goes some way to explain the incredibly high level of refurbishment they have put into the 19th century building. The house has a certain gloss unusual in an Irish home: storage is endless, lighting is superb and there are ISDN, telephone and television points to beat the band.
From the gravel drive, double doors open into a lobby and then into a hall with staircase rising to the landing on the first floor. Parquet floors are original and walls are part-panelled. Seven original service bells still hang above the entrance, which is a T-shaped space with principal rooms opening off it.
To the right of the entrance is a sunny family room stretching the width of the house with windows opening on three sides. The floor here is oak as is the chimney piece. Underfloor plumbing has been installed should the new owner wish to build a bar. Double doors open into the garden.
Straight in front of the entrance through the hall is the drawing- room. It has a black cast-iron fireplace, floor-to-ceiling windows and double doors opening to the dining- room.
This is a house that could hold many a party: the diningroom opens into the large kitchen, which opens back into the hallway. The space is almost cavernous and includes a breakfastroom with access to the gardens at the rear and side. It is fitted with cream custom-made country-style units incorporating granite and teak worktops.
The floor is travertine marble. It is set up for serious catering: a double Aga oven is complemented by two electric ovens and grill; two dishwashers; a wine fridge that can hold 74 bottles and a Whirlpool American fridge freezer. Also off this room is an alcove with space for a home office, a pantry and what Americans might call a mudroom, with a toilet, Belfast sink and black Chinese slate floors.
Upstairs, ceiling heights are greater than those below and the landing has Gothic-style arched windows to the front. The main bedroom is as luxurious as in any five-star hotel and has a white marble chimney piece, walk-in wardrobe and bathroom with raised Jacuzzi bath and separate toilet and shower area.
The second bedroom is similar to the main bedroom: it has a marble fireplace, intricate ceiling covings and en suite bathroom. It is large enough to hold both a double and single bed in comfort.
There are two more bedrooms both the same size and each with its own en suite. Also upstairs is the laundry room with top loader washing machine and dryer.
The house has planning permission for a three-car garage and a fifth bedroom on the ground floor. The foundations for this room have already been laid.
