De Vesci Terrace in Monkstown is one of the finest examples of a Regency revival terrace in the country and houses here rarely come to the market. If the walls of number 3, a grand dame stretching to 371sq m (4,000sq ft), could talk, they would have rather interesting stories to share.
A previous occupant, Guy Brabazon Pilkington, lived here until his death in 1931. Working as a local solicitor, he was also a member of the Society of Psychical Research, an institution founded in 1882 to investigate supernatural phenomena.
It was over a game of tennis in the lawns across the road, that Pilkington was persuaded to join the institution by his neighbour William Fletcher Barrett who lived at number 6. Arthur Conan Doyle and former UK prime minister Arthur Balfour were also members of the society, which still exists today and publishes its findings in their annual Paranormal Review.
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The house was purchased by its current owners in 2004 from film producer Noel Pearson for €2.2 million. The owners, one of whom is an architect, then renovated the property adding a fine extension to the rear. “It took two years to get the planning permission, and then took a further year and a half to refurbish the house,” say the owners who are moving to another project locally.
The property is simply magnificent, and in a rare feat, the extension manages to feel integral to the original structure. It is only when standing in the rear courtyard that the difference really becomes apparent. What the addition gave to the property was a breakfast room at garden level, a study at hall level and a rather luxurious en-suite bathroom to finish the principal suite on the top floor.
While living in France, the owners decided to place the property on the market in 2014 – it was then seeking €2.95 million – but on their return to Ireland they decided to take up residence here again. A few changes have been made since, most notably the transformation of two rooms at garden level into one large sitting room.
The rear patio, which connects the main house to the mews has also been landscaped, with granite paving and beds filled with olive trees and acers.
While the patio itself is not large, the house has the additional benefit of 4½ acres of private parkland across the road, with clay tennis courts – where Pilkington was persuaded to join the Society of Psychical Research. Shared only between the keyholders of the 15 houses on the terrace, it is a substantial private playground.
Internally, the property has four reception rooms, all of which are bright and spacious. The sleek Bulthaup kitchen is a mélange of stainless steel and aluminium-clad units with Gaggenau appliances, and it opens conveniently to the rear patio for al fresco dining.
The four bedrooms are generously proportioned and the main bedroom now has a dressing room and spacious en-suite, where the views from the bath stretch across local spires and contemporary builds.
To the rear lies a 93sq m (1,000sq ft) one-bedroom mews, where the living space and kitchen are located upstairs. The fact that a line of windows face outwards on to the rear lane, allows light and privacy from the main house, despite the two buildings’ proximity to each other.
There is further potential – subject to the usual planning – to convert the garage, which is tiled and has underfloor heating, into a second bedroom. A rental income here could easily generate about €2,500 per month. The fact that the mews has parking, and its own entrance to the rear, again allows valuable privacy from the main house.
The extensive house and mews are in immaculate condition, and are on the market through Sherry FitzGerald with an asking price of €3.25 million.
