Co Dublin: €2.5 million: An Edwardian house on Belgrave Square with views of Dún Laoghaire harbour has been given a complete makeover by a couple who are now downsizing - to New York. Kate McMorrow reports

Nightclub and pub owner David Egan and his wife Maireád are selling up their beautifully restored 417 sq m (4,500 sq ft) house on Monkstown's Belgrave Square west and downsizing to a modern apartment in New York's Manhattan.

Number 43 is expected to realise €2.5 million plus at auction on April 28th through Ganly Walters. Viewing is by appointment only.

Few of Dublin's suburban squares can equal Belgrave Square for a sense of timelessness. The tall Victorian and Edwardian houses seem hardly to have changed since the days when maids lived below stairs and nannies wheeled perambulators in the park.

The Egans moved in about six years ago. Keenly interested in conservation, they embarked on a no-expense-spared restoration project, replacing sash windows, damp-proofing to the extent of installing a damp monitor, re-flooring, installing a kitchen with Stanley range and period-style bathrooms.

Knocking walls through and creating open-plan living areas may not please purists, but this greatly increased the amount of natural light in the house. Electronically operated entrance gates open to a gravelled parking forecourt with granite steps to the front door.

Inside, black and white marble tiles lead the eye down to a cosy reading room with doors to the garden. Walls are wood-panelled and a pretty cast-iron and marble fireplace is in one corner.

The most interesting room in the house is on the entrance floor, an informal sittingroom and kitchen breakfastroom where visitors love to congregate. A polished teak counter with high stools visually separates the working from the relaxing ends of this room. Custom-built units are cream and the Stanley range adds a traditional note. Flooring is dark oak.

On the ground floor return is an office with marble and tile fireplace and French doors to an iron flower balcony overlooking the back garden.

The garden level has its own entrance from outside. This area is contemporary, in contrast to the rest of the house. A double guest bedroom includes a cherry headboard, bed and matching walk-in dressingroom. New carpets, curtains and some mirrors are also part of the sale.

Behind this is a huge family sittingroom with glass shelving, recessed lighting and double doors to a deck. A utility room and large bathroom with free-standing bath and Grohe shower are at the end of the hall.

Upstairs on the first return is a cosy bedroom in soft green and grey with an antique fireplace. As customary, the drawingroom is on the first floor proper and overlooks the park. This sumptuous room has ornate ceiling work and a very fine white marble fireplace.

The drawingroom opens out to a formal diningroom with marble fireplace and decorative plasterwork.

Situated at the top of the house where ceilings slope and views are far-reaching, the main bedroom was knocked through to a small bedroom next door, providing a dressing area and extra light from a large bay window. The marble fireplace has a gas fire inset and the views over Dún Laoghaire harbour are superb.

Next door is another double bedroom, also with an original fireplace and an en suite power shower.

A second bathroom off the landing has a bath and power shower.

Residents of Belgrave Square have the use of the park in a shared ownership agreement which passes from owner to owner.

Sports days and summer barbecues are a feature of square life - something special that has attracted families with young children to the area.

The Egans enjoy the regular music sessions at Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann's headquarters along the road.

The back garden of number 43 is - like the interior - finished to a high specification.

A broad deck outside the French doors climbs via steps to an upper dining deck surrounded by lush planting. A pebbled path access a row of whitewashed storage sheds.