It’s not entirely surprising that the great early 20th century Dublin housebuilder George Crampton chose one of the houses he built on Argyle Road, just off leafy Herbert Park, to be his own home. It’s a lovely road, quiet and superbly located around the corner from the shops in Donnybrook and one of Dublin’s finest amenity-rich public spaces, Herbert Park.
Since the houses on the road were built just over 100 years ago families have tended to move in and stay put. And so the redbrick and pebble-dash houses don’t come on the market that often and when they do they are either executor sales or the result of empty-nesters downsizing. And the latter is the case at number 11 where the couple, their children now grown, are moving on to something smaller than their 308sq m/3,300sq ft five bed house.
It is in pristine, walk-in condition having been extended, redecorated and updated many times over the years, and generally maintained in tip-top condition.
Double site
Number 11 differs from others on the road in that, whatever arrangement the original owner had with Crampton, it was built on a double site and so has a particularly wide side garden that sweeps around to the southwest rear garden.
Crampton was very keen on large halls – number 11 has a fine, very welcoming one – and wide, bright landings. The solid porch doors open to a front door with attractive stained glass – another Crampton signature, and off the hall are two interconnecting reception rooms, the front featuring a deep bay. There is a small study to the left off the hall.
The kitchen is fitted with cream painted timber units and with a cream Aga opens into a large conservatory at the rear which was added at some point. Also off the kitchen, this time to the side – and again another addition – is a family room that opens into the conservatory.
Upstairs, there are five double bedrooms – one an attic room at the top of the house. The largest bedroom has a bathroom en suite – spacious, because it was originally a bedroom. The family bathroom is probably the only room new owners might want to update – if only because in this price bracket, buyers will want to do something.
Last year two houses on Argyle Road sold, number 15 in need of renovation made €1.95million, while number 5, which had been done-up, sold for its asking price of €3 million. Neither was as large as number 11 or on the same size plot, which is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald for €3.75 million.
