A 19th-century stable yard has been converted into a very smart scheme of eight houses folded into the side of Killiney Hill. Stoneleigh - a small development at the end of St Georges Avenue and very secluded - has hang-gliding views of the sea as far as Bray Head.
The stables used to belong to Kenah Hall, which is currently for sale at £8 million (10.16m), making it the most expensive house to come on the market in Dublin this year. Shortly after he bought it two years ago, Kenah Hall's owner, Martin Birrane, sold off the stables for development.
n imaginative-looking new development was undertaken by architect Henry J Lyons.
Prices start at £565,000 (717,400) and go up to £975,000 (1.24m), depending on size, finish and orientation. Selling agent Stephen Conway will be on hand at the showhouse on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment.
Fans of Scottish designer Charles Mackintosh - among whom is builder Kieran Brennan of Moyle developments - will enjoy the elegant showhouse interior. "Mackintosh" signatures such as tapered wood columns, pelmets inset with coloured glass cubes and elegant classic-style fireplaces commemorate the work of the renowned designer.
Stoneleigh was built at the end of the19th century, when traditional Victorian architecture was changing. Houses and public buildings with timbered gables, stone frontages and an "Olde English" look came into fashion.
The eight restored houses vary in size and style, each with its own character. Where possible, original materials have been used in the new structure. Old roof tiles, natural stone and old brick have been recycled. The houses are clustered around a cobbled courtyard, where a specially-commissioned sculpture has been sited.
Buyers will choose their unit as a bare shell and the developer will arrange the interior as they wish. With some designs, the living spaces are upstairs and one quirky house has a triple-level first-floor living area with a whole range of possibilities.
The three-bedroom showhouse is in the mid-price range at £725,000 (920,560) and has magnificent views over the trees below and the bay. As in all the houses, windows are timber replicas of originals and internal doors are thick and chunky. A limestone and slate fireplace has curved art deco lines.
Open-plan, the sittingroom steps down to a bright dining conservatory by way of tall wood columns which taper towards the ceiling. Shafts of coloured light filter through to this room from a stained glass "rose" dividing window.
The open-plan kitchen has custom-made cherrywood units with square grid detail and worktops are of polished granite. .
The gardens, mostly terraced because of the hilly site, are walled - with a strong emphasis on privacy. Parking is provided in a separate area off the long driveway which is accessed through security gates.
Viewers can also log on to the Stonleigh website at www.killineyhill.com.
