Constructed in 2001 on lands acquired by Menolly Homes, the Farmleigh development consists of 257 apartments and elegant townhouses adjacent to Farmleigh House and Estate, the State's official guesthouse for visiting dignitaries.
Number 6 Farmleigh Avenue lies at the start of six four-storey townhouses designed with a nod to the Edwardian architecture of the former Guinness residence, which the State purchased in 1999 for more than €29 million and spent a further €23 million on its restoration.
High-end interiors include granite countertops, solid wood wardrobes and cabinetry by John Daly, but a big attraction for families will be the principal bedroom. It occupies the entire top floor, with an expansive dressingroom, his and hers sinks in an en suite equipped with a Jacuzzi bath, and a balcony with extensive views of the bucolic lands of the Farmleigh estate. The basement in the property is a moveable feast and though currently set up as a family living space, it could easily accommodate a sixth bedroom if required.
It appears on the Property Price Register as having sold in 2015 for €404,464. However, this was an intercompany transfer and does not reflect its value at the time. For example, in 2016 its smaller neighbour down the terrace at Number 9, which has three bedrooms and extends to 206sq m (2,217sq ft), achieved €1.005 million. In 2014, the bookend house, Number 11 sold for €1.01 million, but it has a smaller garden than Number 6, which has now been listed on the market through Sherry FitzGerald seeking €1.6 million.
Besides the interiors, which are turnkey, and the size – it encompasses 310sq m (3,337sq ft) over four floors – the property also has an integral garage, so unpacking children and groceries in the rain will never be an issue.
The garden will also attract buyers as it is far bigger than any house on the terrace and as well as the large Indian sandstone terrace, there is a big enough lawn to the side.
Being able to call visiting dignitaries “neighbours” for a few nights, the proximity to Farmleigh House and Estate – accessed through a pedestrian entrance – will also be a unique selling point. With more than 28 hectares (70 acres) of walled gardens, sunken gardens, lakeside walks and even a working farm with Kerry cattle, the State’s guesthouse also has a serious collection of rare books and manuscripts in the library.
Add to that a theatre, art exhibitions, food markets, classical music recitals and a superb Christmas line-up for children, it is clear why the development – which is accessed via a quiet avenue off White’s Road – is a desirable place to live.
Though it can feel at times that you are in the middle of the countryside, with all the trees surrounding the estate, Farmleigh Avenue is just 800m from Castleknock village and adjacent to the popular Georgian Village development. Local schools include Mount Sackville and Castleknock College, which is just across the road.
Amenities include a number of local golf clubs, with walking, running, cycling and a polo club in the Phoenix Park – the largest enclosed public park of any capital city in Europe – which lies adjacent.
