Not every house on Longford Terrace in Monkstown was carved up into apartments sometime in the mid-20th century, but many were. And it’s easy to see why.

The painted stucco terraced houses, often accurately called “stately” or “imposing”, are huge three-storey-over-basement Victorians typically with nearly 5,000sq ft. Back when we called them “flats” they made great ones, the best having just one unit on each floor. The houses on the terrace tend to come to the market now either needing considerable work as they are still in old-fashioned units, or having already been converted back into grand family homes so recent buyers are left with nothing to do.

Number 17 Longford Terrace is in the latter category. The owners, then a young couple, bought in 2003 when the 445sq m (4,790sq ft) house was in units including a commercial unit in the basement – which gave them some income as they undertook a massive renovation in two stages. Fourteen years later – and now with six small children – they are moving on to another renovation project, and their beautifully restored and presented family home is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald for €2.35 million.

They did a fine job. The first decision was where to put the kitchen and, sensibly for family living, it is at hall-floor level at the back of the house, opening through to a grand reception room at the front with its two tall sash windows and original fireplace. The kitchen has free-standing bespoke timber cupboards, a Victorian fireplace complete with elaborate timber overmantle and the original stained glass windows. Also on this floor is a large room that doubles as a family cloakroom and guest bathroom. The hall door opens into a fine room-sized entrance hall, with ceiling coving, centre rose and marble-tiled floor.

Upstairs the grandest room in the property is the drawingroom; it stretches the width of the house, has all its fine original features, with three tall windows offering glimpses of the sea. Originally the view would have been uninterrupted, but there is an apartment block across the road so the best sea views are now from the top floor. The back room on this first floor is the main bedroom and there is a further room on the other side of the landing used as a dressingroom. On up again, past a modern shower-room in the return, are three large bedrooms as well as a family bathroom with a roll-top bath and cast-iron fireplace.

Down at basement level – with ceilings higher than expected – there is a large room to the front used as a playroom, a room used as a bedroom and a shower-room and assorted utility rooms. The basement is accessed from the front of the house and has its own patio at the rear. It could easily once again become a rental unit. The back garden has a lawned area and large deck; as with other houses on the terrace, number 17 lost its coach house many years ago when many of those buildings became the retail and restaurant strip of Monkstown Crescent.

For a price comparison for number 17 look no further than next door, to number 18 Longford Terrace, a modernised family home in walk-in condition, which sold in March for €2.37 million.