Rathgar: €1.7mThose looking for a little of the country in the city should take a look at 6 Leicester Avenue, Rathgar, Dublin 6. It is a double-fronted four-bedroom house, with 206sq m (2,215sq ft) of living space, and is for sale through Felicity Fox Estate Agents by private treaty for €1.7 million.
The partially detached house was built in the latter half of the 18th century and is older than most of its neighbours. The current owner believes it was once a farmhouse. A relaxed country feel is still very much evident, both in the Georgian proportions and details, such as extra wide doors and cast-iron fireplaces.
The house has an unusual aspect, facing not towards the road but at a right angle to neighbouring houses. There is off-street parking at the rear but the owners also have planning permission to create a new entrance at the front, opening directly onto the road. At the moment, there is shared access with the house next door.
On entering the house one is faced with an elegant entrance hall. To the right is a diningroom and sittingroom, both with double aspect windows and lots of period detail. At a time when many similar properties are being redesigned to an unrecognisable state, there's a charm to the homely proportions of this house and the well cared for, but non-interfered with, architecture. To the left of the hall is a kitchen/breakfastroom with traditional hand-painted units, a central island and an Aga. It's very much a family space: immediately off it is a sunroom/livingroom with large windows and French doors to the garden.
Also on the ground floor is a toilet and utility room. Upstairs there are three large double bedrooms and one single, currently used as a home office. The main bedroom has an en suite with plenty of tongue and groove panelling and a dressingroom.
There is also a family bathroom which could be extended into part of the landing, should new owners wish to upgrade.
Outside, the garden is by no means large but has a southerly aspect and much potential: a landscape designer would make light work of turning it into an exciting outdoor room.
