From a distance, Ballybride House could be just another sprawling Celtic Tiger extravaganza. It has long, low sleek lines, security cameras, electric gates, tastefully landscaped gardens, including a small orchard, and spreads across 453sq m (4,876sq ft) of accommodation with five bedrooms.
But look again, there's a whiff of nostalgia, some subtle differences. That's because Ballybride House was designed in 1945, and built over the following two years. Architect J Arthur Douglas favoured the International style with some Art Deco twists, though the just-completed refurb now means the style of the house is a cross between Hercule Poirot and Footballers' Wives.
That’s not to disparage – the overhaul, overseen by MKN Property Group on behalf of the investors, has brought the BER up to B3, broken up a series of servants’ rooms to create a huge all-mod- cons kitchen and opened up five large bedrooms, four of which are en suite (two of these share a Jack and Jill bathroom).
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The balance works very well. You get the lovely flow of rooms and the maximisation of natural light that Modernist architecture excelled at, plus double glazing, oak floors, solar panels and little extras such as an irrigation system that feeds collected rainwater through the herbaceous borders on a timer system.
Downstairs, alongside the massive kitchen, there’s a boot room, laundry room, sunroom, familyroom and livingroom – and all have plenty of light. There’s also a large garage.
Upstairs, a northlight panel adds an airiness to the landing, while the master bedroom, which has two dressingrooms as well as an ensuite, also has a large balcony overlooking the lawns.
The area is lovely. Shankill village has shops and good schools, and backs onto the edge of the Dublin mountains. There are golf clubs nearby, riding stables, and sailing at Dún Laoghaire. You’re about 10 minutes drive from the Luas and Dart (one in each direction). Ballybride House is for sale by private treaty with Lisney’s for €1.295 million.
Compare this to the €1.395 million being sought by Doran Estates for the six-bed new-build Pine View just down Ballybride Road.
Old versus new, you choose.
