A large semi-detached house with its original coachhouse at 18 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, will be auctioned by Lisney on April 20th. Selling agent Tom Day is quoting £1.2 million for the house - a conservative price given its prime location and potential.

The double coach-house, which has two entrances on to Pembroke Lane, could be worth £600,000 alone.

Standing three-storey over basement, the redbrick house, St Margaret's, is currently divided into several flats and needs complete refurbishment.

It could be converted to a substantial family home or offices, or a combination of both.

At just over 5,000 sq ft, the house was once a grand Victorian residence with fine reception rooms at hall and first-floor level. Each floor is now subdivided with partitions but original features such as marble fireplaces, ornate cornicing and ceiling roses and window shutters remain.

The entrance hall has been well preserved and has a fine corniced ceiling and twin arched windows with stained glass insets.

There are two principal rooms on each floor and several smaller rooms at each return level. At hall level, there is a very attractive drawingroom with a bay window overlooking the back garden. However, the best rooms are on the first floor, where the original drawingroom has been subdivided - but still has its ornate pillar supports. The back garden is over 120 ft long and there is parking to the front.