It you like light, space and living the high life then number 79 Block B, Smithfield Market, in Dublin 7 could be for you.
The triplex penthouse, which is set over three floors, occupies an entire building side washed in eastern, southern and western light. It belongs to Ed Brady, one of the original developers of the Smithfield scheme. Fusano Properties, a consortium of boom-era developers comprising Brady, Paddy Kelly, Joseph Linders and John Flynn, spearheaded the 480-unit development, a €500 million project that came to the market in 2005. The development included the Light House Cinema and a gym with a 25ft swimming pool.
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For most of that time Brady has let the penthouse on a corporate basis. It has a real Manhattan loft feel, so much so that following its launch the Danish embassy rented it for about six months to showcase Denmark’s design talent in furniture and lighting.
And it’s a space that will make almost anything look good. The two-bed unit has 120sq m of space, with another 96sq m of granite terraces across two of its three floors.
The current configuration opens into the level with the bedrooms, with each of the two bedrooms featuring walls of glass that open to a wraparound terrace. The master has an en suite.
While glorious, the fact that the kitchen and livingroom are set on the level above and have no outdoor space takes away somewhat from their grand vistas and makes each room feel a little hemmed in. Switching the livingroom into the master bedroom and the kitchen into the other, where it would enjoy morning light, might be an option, assuming that access to the necessary services won’t be a problem.
Mind the steps
This property won’t suit everyone. Traders-down should be mindful of the three storeys of travertine-tiled steps, but if the steps don’t put you off the views are spectacular. Privacy is also provided by pull-down blinds on every glass wall to screen the outside out.
From the terraces you can see the steeples of Christ Church and St Patrick's, the Spire, the Aviva Stadium and the obelisk in the Phoenix Park to the west, as well as Howth and the Dublin Mountains in the distance. Across the street an office block is under construction, but it is likely to be six storeys high so will still be below the height of number 79.
As an investment this property will let really well as it is. Several of the 20 units on this level are already rented on a short-let basis. The extensive outdoor terraces would benefit from the advice of a professional plantsman, who could advise on what to grow on terraces that get so much light. Adding lush greenery will transform these exteriors.
The penthouse is seeking €625,000 through agent Owen Reilly. Management fees are €4,200 per annum.
