To fully appreciate the architecture of 34 Monkstown Road, one must stand in the rear garden. This is because the roadside facade – which is now the front entrance on the terrace, was actually the back of this former coach-house.
The terrace of coach-houses served the lofty houses on Belgrave Square South, and were constructed circa 1840. All the houses have one large window, flanking the entrance. While this gives the impression that the exteriors are not symmetrical, it is due to the fact that these apertures were the carriage entrances in Georgian times.
Number 34, lying mid-terrace, underwent a transformation in 2006, when a kitchen extension was added. Designed by architect Brian Leyden, the addition forms a seamless connection with the old property.
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The house is deceptively spacious, and now has a footprint of 152sq m. All rooms bar the third bedroom upstairs are dual aspect, allowing plenty of light. The addition of Velux upstairs also throws light into what were formerly dark ostlers’ quarters.
The property enjoys two living-rooms, one formal – part of which is also used as an office – and a second familyroom off the new kitchen.
Understated elegance
The use of antiques and old pine flooring gives a sense of understated elegance to the place. Both livingrooms have period fireplaces and ceilings are high, thanks to the fact that these rooms once housed horses and carriages.
The kitchen extension has a cedar-clad exterior, and a full wall of glass with double doors opening out onto a courtyard – which is the rear garden.
A cream Silestone island forms the focal point of the kitchen, and integrated appliances give a streamlined finish.
Upstairs, the master bedroom runs the full width of the house and peeks out on to trees in the back garden through an oculus window. A second bedroom is equally spacious and features a cast-iron fireplace. The third bedroom is a small single, currently used as a nursery.
Number 34 is a charming property and the exterior is deceptive.
The current owners are in search of a larger property for their growing family and are selling their home through Sherry FitzGerald with an asking price of €850,000.
