Strathmore, the nine-acre former Canadian embassy residence in Killiney, is set to undergo major changes now that its new owner, entrepreneur Dr Joe Elias, has obtained planning permission for a major renovation of the Victorian mansion. The businessman purchased the property for €7.5 million in February 2015 and had originally hoped to demolish the 1,070sq m (11,500sq ft) home entirely.
Following a pre-planning meeting last October, it was suggested that Elias should try to retain the existing house, which is not a protected structure. The planning application, submitted recently by a company named PC Earlsfort Trustees, has clearly taken those suggestions on board given that the majority of the existing structure will be retained, while some unsympathetic 20th-century additions will be demolished.
As part of the approved changes, extensions will be added, bringing the total size of the house to a mammoth 1,739sq m (18,719sq ft). Modern extensions will wrap around the existing structure and feature expansive walls of glazing. Practically the entire structure will have glass and sedum roofs – with barely a single traditional pitched roof in sight.
The palatial house would feature what is potentially the largest open-plan living, kitchen and dining room in Dublin, in addition to a double-height entrance hall and multiple reception rooms. With seven bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms and some with dressing rooms, the house will have room aplenty for family, guests and staff.
A new basement car park will also be added. Once completed, the home is set to be one of the largest private homes in Dublin. It will dwarf even the lavish home of U2 frontman Bono, located directly across the road, which is understood to be approximately 1,100sq m (11,840sq ft) in size.
