The former Shrewsbury Road home of developer Larry O’Mahony has been put on the market today with an asking price of €6 million. O’Mahony was involved in the development of the disastrous Priory Hall apartment scheme with Tom McFeely.
O’Mahony, a regular polo player, was a high flyer of the recent property boom, and filed for bankruptcy in the UK in 2012 from which he was discharged last year. In late 2013, Nama was granted a possession order for the 465sq m (5,000sq ft) house on Dublin 4’s most prestigious road, and the family were directed to quit the home in early December.
At the time O'Mahony had four outstanding loans totalling €6.75 million secured on the property by Irish Nationwide Building Society, though nothing had been paid off since December 2010.
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O'Mahony's business partner McFeely's own former home, Coolbawn, located on nearby Ailesbury Road was sold by Nama last year for €2.6million to former Ireland editor of the Sunday Times, Rory Godson and his wife, Hilary Hynes. The house made headlines when €140,000 was discovered under the bath by a plumber. This week, selling agent Peter Kenny of Colliers International confirmed no similar discovery had been made at Number 7 Shrewsbury Road.
O’Mahony, his wife, Christine Connolly, and their three children lived in the Tudor-style house from the late 1990s. Around 2008, extensive works were carried out on the 1930s-built semi-detached property which increased its floor space by about a third.
According to Peter Kenny, the asking price of €6 million is consistent with recent sales on the road. In late 2012 Number 9, next door, Lissadell, a detached redbrick of 344sq m (3,700sq ft) on 0.7 of an acre, sold for €6 million, and Number 8, across the road, sold in January 2012 for €5.2million. This pricing places a notional value on properties on the road of just over €1000 per sq ft.
Number 7, now unfurnished, was extended to the side to successfully create a convincing double-fronted facade, though it is semi-detached. The rooms are generously proportioned, though new owners will want to rework some elements.
For example, the entrance hall features a small gas coal-effect fire on a wall in front of the main staircase which seems surplus to requirements, while antique-style radiators appear here and in only one other room.
The entire house, on two levels plus a vast attic, is floored in polished timber.The interconnecting reception rooms are bright, and have matching Portland stone fireplaces. The casement bay windows are double- glazed and in keeping with the original style.
A garden room with a partially glazed ceiling leads out to the large 100ft long southeast facing garden, laid out in lawn with mature planted borders. Railway sleepers edge the narrow sandstone patio which runs the width of the house.
The kitchen – a lovely sunny space – has been stripped of its contents, apart from bright peach tiles depicting frolicking cherubs in the recessed arch where the Aga once stood. The theme continues overhead with two cherub shelf supports, one with an INRI crucifixion banner.
Upstairs there are five large bedrooms, including one that has been customised with a built-in pink wooden storage and play area. Another room features a mezzanine bedroom area ideal for a teenager. There are two standalone shower rooms at this level, though the shower unit in one has been removed, while the other has a double shower, with what appear to be conversation seats.
Upstairs again is the large converted attic, with Velux windows and three large rooms which would work well as a guest/au pair quarters. The built-in woodwork at every level is basic and will most likely need replacing. The staircase is lacquer-painted which brightens the hall but takes somewhat from the original wood finish.
Whoever buys Number 7 is getting a good basic fabric, but they will need to spend a little more to refine the overall finish and replace the poor timberwork.
