Any of us who have grown up playing Monopoly will know that Ailesbury Road in Dublin 4 is one of the most exclusive places to live and the location of many a dream home.
Well, within the famous Ballsbridge road number 7 might just be one of the best residences.
This stunning 5 bed home has been magnificently restored and upgraded since last going on the market in 2006.
In the intervening years it has been completely refurbished and modernised using the finest materials with many period features meticulously restored, including the cornicing, coving and ceiling roses and original fireplaces.
They also added some stunning extras including a grand, glazed double-height dining room extension to the back, with large sliding panes opening out to the spacious back garden, and a large, contemporary, glazed entrance hall with sheltered courtyard at garden level. Oh and they also built a beautiful natural swimming pool from stone in the back garden.
Configured to work seamlessly as both family space and as elegant entertaining space this generously proportioned property has been cleverly designed by AOF Architects with an eye for detail.
Briefly comprising approximately 5,092 sq ft/ 473sqm over three full and four half storeys, number 7 has been significantly remodelled to alter the original garden level and rear layout, whilst retaining the original period details of the formal reception rooms and bedrooms.
Unique to number 7, and its adjoining neighbour, number 5, is its sandstone and granite columned portico which opens into the elegant hall with its tiled marble floor. To the front of the house, the formal reception room has been reimagined as a fine study and family room with wall panelling and floor to ceiling cabinetry with a gas fire in the original fireplace. Cornices and period details have been meticulously restored along with the shutters on the sash windows. Flooring is chevron parquet in cherry wood, which compliments the inset shelving throughout the room.
Custom folding doors open into the rear and more traditional reception room which looks out over the Digby Brady designed garden behind. Velvet wool carpet is set in to a parquet surround and intricate cornices and ceiling roses have been restored, complimenting the open fire in the original marble hearth and fireplace.
At the rear of the house and at hall floor is the first kitchen. The immediate impact is a view out to the expansive double height dining area beyond. This unique kitchen is designed to be a feature in its own right with custom cabinetry, dark granite worktops which work as both practical preparation and family living space as well formal entertaining reception. A black Aga sits at the heart of this kitchen, and steps lead down to the dining room below.
The dining room is a dramatic and double height room, with specially constructed large format sliding panes, and is open on all sides to the garden allowing this room to open to the terrace beyond providing for large scale entertaining in all weather.
At garden level, number 7 eschews the standard lower level entry and instead, access is through a sheltered and airy courtyard and leading in to the lower hall, a glazed and welcoming space. Storage at this level is cleverly disguised, hiding the everyday items in elegant custom cabinets, and also the entrance to the second kitchen and utility room.
The main family room/cinema room is a very large room under the formal drawing room, with hidden bar, projector and screen. To the front is bedroom five, with fitted wardrobes and cherry wood flooring, currently used as a very well appointed gym. A full bathroom with sauna is a luxuriously appointed space beside this.
To the rear of number 7 is a south facing and incredibly private garden with generous terraces provide zones for seating, dining cooking and general entertaining. The main feature of this outside space is the striking natural infinity swimming pool, which mimics the mechanics of a river or stream using a biological filter, plant life and pump.
Returning to the house, on the first floor return is a large bedroom suite, with bathroom and built in wardrobes and desk. On the next floor are two further large double bedrooms, one front and one rear, again with built in wardrobes and desks.
Completing this second floor is the main bedroom. This is a significantly large suite, with elegant bedroom to the front, with walnut wall finishings disguising doors on both sides of the bed, leading in to a sumptuous dressing room with ample hanging and storage. This opens again in to a very well appointed and luxurious ensuite bathroom, with steam shower, enclosed WC and large vanity unit with double sink.
At the top of the house a separate WC is before a large bathroom with freestanding bath, shower and vanity. A feature gas fireplace adds glamour and warmth to this well designed space.
This is every inch the dream home.
Find out more about it at www.myhome.ie/4761023 or contact selling agents Bergins Property Consultants on 01 6603587.
