When the bungalows in Ardilea in Clonskeagh change hands new buyers tend not to tinker around, going instead for full-blown makeovers.
Part of the reason is that the houses in the estate off Roebuck Road were built in the 1960s and can be of their era, often being sold on by original owners. The other reason is that the detached houses on varying-sized plots come with a great deal of potential when it comes to extending, either up or to the side.
Homebuilding lore has it that a developer called O’Callaghan was so inspired by the large suburban houses he saw on a trip to the US with their picture windows, stone cladding and arched porches, that he brought the style home.
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For the naming of the roads in his new development, which is close to UCD’s campus at Belfield, he was inspired by the great world universities.
Number 30 Louvain last changed hands about 10 years ago and the owners – a couple with a large family – embarked on a major makeover that included a significant extension to the property, doubling it in size to 3,767sq ft/350sq m. The detached bungalow is now unrecognisable from the original, with its new windows, rendered finish and a substantial six bedrooms, putting it very much in the sights of families seeking to trade up.
All the bedrooms are doubles, four are upstairs, with a shower room and bathroom, and two are downstairs including the main bedroom which is a large suite looking out to the rear garden and opening on to it. It has two dressing areas and an en suite shower room.
Generous hallways
The living accommodation is ideal for a growing family. With so much additional square footage to play with there was room to make generous hallways, a new contemporary staircase (with oak detailing) and a good-sized cloakroom area and downstairs toilet.
The eat-in kitchen is now double height – a glazed walkway above leads to one of the bedrooms – so it’s a bright airy space. The original living room facing the front was retained, but now with glazed doors opening to the garden. There is also a smaller family room to the rear opening on to the garden. The house is in walk-in condition with a bright colour scheme that matches its contemporary design.
The work didn’t compromise the garden which wraps around the house and is mature and attractively planted. The home-working owner installed a detached garden room – new owners might just as easily use it as a luxurious playroom.
There are two driveways, and off-street parking for three or four cars.
The owners are downsizing and number 30 Louvain is on the market through Sherry FitzGerald, seeking €1.6 million.
