Orwell Park, in Rathgar, is a road that has mirrored most accurately the vagaries of the recent property boom and bust cycle. Since 2011, at least 16 of its 48 stately period homes have changed hands at greatly reduced sums compared with the headline-grabbing Monopoly millions paid during the boom.
It was also one of the first roads to break ground with a scheme of new homes after the downturn, when developer Eugene Renehan, who had paid Mill Hill Missionaries a sum of about €30 million for a 3.9-acre site, launched seven homes off-plan in late 2012. They sold out, as did the further 10 homes launched in late 2013, and the final courtyard phase of Orwell Park Square is being completed.
On the same site, in 2007, just as the downturn was looming, Renehan built three large neo-Victorian homes in the style of the older redbricks on the road. The six-bed townhouses were launched amid much marketing fanfare, with the promotional brochure declaring that like the Three Ages of Man and the Three Tenors, “the best things in life come in threes”.
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Anomaly
That year, number 51 was reported to have been sold by Lisney for a sum of about €7 million. Five years later and a listing on the Property Price Register in February 2012 states that numbers 51-53 Orwell Park sold for €3.25 million. It seems to be an anomaly and is most likely the sum paid for one of the other two houses at that time.
This week, number 52 comes on the market through Turley Property Advisors with an asking price of €3.2 million.
It is the home of Virendra Rana, owner of interiors shop Ginger Brown Design, on Dublin's Clarendon Street.
The Nepalese designer has lived here with his partner, Michael, since 2011.
Viru, as he is better known, has brought all of his exotic design taste to number 52, and the result is an interior atypical for such a traditional style of home.
Boho eclectic
The furnishings have been sourced from all around the world, with a distinctive bohemian influence pervading every space. The overall effect would certainly never be accused of adhering slavishly to a classic school of design. Like his shop, Viru says the style is boho eclectic. For example the Clive Christian kitchen original to the builder's spec has a traditional country feel, but a pair of modern Venetian chandeliers of entwined mock antlers and metal, over the island, add drama to the scene. Off the main hall to the left, the interconnecting living- and diningroom run the length of the house. Viru has filled the space with rich heavy furnishings like an Aladdin's cave. Curiously, most of the heavy furniture, including pairs of Burr walnut cabinets and gilded side tables, and enormous porcelain and brass urns, was sourced in Las Vegas.
Exquisite silk and wool rugs came from India, while a Venetian-style overmantel mirror is a typical Indian palatial design from Calcutta.
Hanging opposite it is a bejewelled wall panel of carved wood and gold leaf, which was transported in four sections from Thailand.
“I wanted to bring eastern culture to the western utilitarian style, and contextualise it for modern living. I like every room to have a different character, and feel it’s nice to have very different rooms to step into.”
Man cave
The study across the hall has been styled as a cosy livingroom, although an ornate bar, again from Vegas, elevates it to a whole other level. Two heavy Italian wood bookcases hang on the wall like huge frames.
Upstairs, six bedrooms are arranged over two levels. One on the top level is in use as a parquet-floored gym, while another on the first level has been restyled as a man cave, complete with convincing cowhide-effect wallpaper and bespoke wood shelving. The master bedroom has been reworked to include the most extraordinary windowed mahogany shoeroom, filled with scores of converse and trainers .
The en suite and dressingroom are the size of another double room, and include a sauna, steamroom and Jacuzzi bath.
Viru has also styled the substantial landing as a seating area from which to enjoy some of the many pieces of wall art, including paintings by Ivan Z Jovanovic, an artist based in St Tropez, and Italian artist Pino.
With 480sq m (5,160sq ft) of floor space, the house makes a substantial footprint on a relatively small site.
The rear south-facing garden is somewhat compromised, although ideally suited for anyone happy with a low-maintenance city garden. The lawn is Astroturf, and a large patio space is perfect for entertaining. Parking is to the front behind electric gates, with room for at least two cars.
Viru and Michael say they plan to stay in the area as they enjoy being close to the city. Prior to Orwell they lived in Killiney for about five years, including at Killiney House, a beautiful period property with sea views and tiered gardens, which they sold for about €9 million in 2008.
In the south of France on Cap Martin the couple have also completed a six-year multimillion euro restoration of a villa often described as the Côte d’Azur’s most desirable holiday home. Mainly for personal use, they have also rented it for the Monaco Grand Prix for a fee of about €180,000 per month.
