Viewers who had a look at this stylish modern new build in Dartry when it first came on the market in 2012 will be surprised that the buyer didn’t move in for a year while he undertook a programme of renovations.

As the three-storey over-basement house was in pristine condition back then, it shows that buyers at the upper end of the market will always want to do their own thing.

Number 1 Richview Park was for many decades a modest bungalow at the end of a cul-de-sac backing on to the grander and longer established Temple Road. It was bought in 2006 for about €3.6 million by developer Kensington Building Service. That modest home with the staggering price tag was soon demolished to make way for this contemporary-style house, partially hidden behind high walls and a gate.

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Green credentials

Apart from its modern good looks, the newly built house also came with some serious green credentials, having geothermal heating, a heat recovery system and rainwater harvesting. Its insulation and heating system are so effective that the owner’s energy bill last year was about €1,500 which for a 540sq m (5,800sq ft) house is impressive.

When it was completed in 2012, it struggled at its asking price of €2.5 million. The current owner bought it for €2.05 million and it is now for sale through Sherry FitzGerald for €3.25 million.

The light-filled entrance hall is triple height and has a huge fireplace that looks quite odd in such a sleek space. The hall opens into the large eat-in kitchen which was the first thing changed by the new owner, who took out the new kitchen and installed a sleek Bulthaup integrated one that perfectly suits the space.

Off this on one side is a small utility room that opens out the back and on the other the reception room. This was originally two rooms but they have been knocked through to create an open-plan living space running from the front to the back of the house. The floor-to-ceiling windows at the rear look out on to the rear courtyard and stone-finished garden that runs the width of the house. The same window to the front looks out on to the gravelled front garden. A partially open area behind the fireplace to the front is used as a study.

Walk-in dressingroom

Upstairs the five double bedrooms are over two levels off the first- and second-floor landings which have glass balustrades overlooking the hall. The main bedroom was originally smaller but a wall was taken down to enlarge the space. It has a walk-in dressingroom and as it was once two bedrooms it has two en suites. It has an unusual cork floor throughout.

All the bathrooms – most bedrooms have one and there is a toilet on both hall and basement level – have been finished with marble tiling and high-end fittings.

At the top level, there’s a room with Velux windows and a fireplace that could be a study, two storage rooms, two bedrooms and yet another luxurious bathroom.

Off the hall a staircase leads down to the basement area which is mostly taken up with its large walnut-floored living room with doors out to small basement patios on two sides, a home cinema and a kitchen.