Cantrell and Crowley, the architects’ firm that designed Windermere on Westminster Road in Foxrock, describe the house as “one of two speculatively built houses in the grounds of an old Victorian residence, on one of Dublin’s most prestigious roads”.
But for a house that’s just seven years old it has amassed much more history than that anonymous sounding sentence suggests.
When it sells – and it will this time around because it’s priced in line with the market and it’s a fine, very large family house, in walk-in condition on one of the southside suburb’s most prestigious roads – it will be the end of another chapter in the story of a high-profile Celtic Tiger development that collapsed like so many others.
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Windermere, like its similarly designed neighbour Hazelmere, was built in the grounds of one of Foxrock’s grand Victorian villas, Grasmere.
That period house, with its considerable garden, had been bought for development by a consortium led by David Arnold.
But by 2008 when the two new speculative builds came on the market – each with a price tag of around €6 million – the market had well and truly collapsed.
The three houses – Grasmere was sympathetically renovated to a high standard – came on the market several times at steadily falling prices until by 2012 both Grasmere (€1.75 million) and Hazelmere (€2.45 million) had been sold.
Now Windermere – which has been a rental for some time – is for sale, through Lisney for €3million. It is a bank sale.
With 650sq m (7,000sq ft) it’s even larger than it looks from the outside as the two-storey, double-fronted detached house also has a basement.
The living accommodation is made up of two interconnecting reception rooms that run the depth of the house; a vast modern kitchen and an open-plan dining area, that looks out over the back garden, and a well-appointed utility room.
The double-height hall has a fireplace and feels like a room of its own.
Upstairs there are six bedrooms – four with large ensuites.
At basement level, where there are no windows, is a large room used as a home gym – there is a wall of mirrors – with an adjacent showerroom and a home cinema.
The interior spec throughout is high with oak and marble floors, a Lutron lighting system, integrated audio system, electric blinds and curtains and underfloor heating.
Most bedrooms have built-in wardrobes or a dressing area and, in all, new owners will have little to do but move their furniture in.
The bright and airy kitchen has contemporary-style white high-gloss units, a large island and extensive storage as well as a range of stainless steel integrated appliances and an Aga.
The Grasmere site was clearly substantial because even though Windermere takes up a large footprint there is still a good sized garden wrapping around the house.
There is parking for several cars and the house is set behind electric gates.
