One OF the most spectacular properties in Dublin, Victoria House on over two acres at Coliemore Road, Dalkey, is to be auctioned by Lisney on May 23rd.
Selling agent Tom Day expects bids in excess of £6 million (€7.6m) for the three-storey over basement house which comes with a separate gate lodge, tennis court and original stable buildings with development potential. A further site of 0.85 of an acre - formerly the orchard - is to be offered as a separate lot. With outline planning permission for three houses, to be accessed from Green Road, it is valued at around £1.5 million (€1.9).
Tom Day describes the property, which overlooks Coliemore Harbour as "simply the best house in Dublin" and viewers - who will be shown around by appointment only - will find it hard to disagree.
Owned by the same family since the 1940s, Victoria House dates from the 1860s when it was built for the Booth family. Richard Booth started the first pneumatic tyre factory in Ireland, which was later to become Dunlops.
The house was extensively damaged by fire in 1916 and rebuilt by Cramptons, the leading builders of the day. The turret is all that remains of the original house.
Crampton-built houses are now among the most sought after in the city, and Victoria House has many of the company's trademark features including original casement windows, carved timber staircases and panelling and ornate art nouveau fireplaces.
However, in terms of size and design Victoria House must have been one of the most ambitious houses of its day, larger even than its counterparts in affluent Foxrock and Shrewsbury Road.
Set high on a slope above Coliemore Road, the house is only partially visible to passers-by and a long winding driveway adds to the sense of privacy. At one time the gardens swept right down to the road, but over the years several sites have been sold off and built on. These modern houses have been kept deliberately low so as not to interfere with the sea views.
Inside, the immediate impression is of a charming family home on a grand scale. Each floor has over 1,500 sq ft - bigger than the average four-bedroom house. There are three principal reception rooms leading off a superb 25 ft hall. All three rooms have views over Dalkey Sound while the drawingroom and morning room also overlook smooth lawns, a rose garden and ornamental ponds. An aura of good living permeates these thickly carpeted and silk-upholstered rooms. It is a fine house for a party, with room for dozens of guests in the hallway alone. Also leading off the hall is a circular study lined with Hicks oak bookcases, a breakfastroom and a big kitchen with access to a sheltered lawn and the original Victorian glasshouses. There are several access points to the garden on this level. The family employs a full-time gardener to tend to velvety lawns, the raised ponds and rockeries, and a belt of woodland at the back of the property.
A fine carved timber staircase rises to the upper floor past a laundry room on the landing. There are four bedrooms at this level, including the main bedroom suite which has an en suite bathroom and dressingroom as well as an en suite shower room/dressingroom. There is also a quaint circular bedroom in the tower.
The third floor has three further bedrooms and a large playroom, with a curved staircase leading to the top of the tower where there is a marvellous studio room with three huge circular windows overlooking the sea. No expense has been spared over the years to make this a very comfortable home. It is charmingly decorated throughout with a patina of age and family history that will appeal to buyers with a streak of romance as well as plenty of hard cash.
