Bedrooms with a view over Dublin Bay – this is one of the big attractions in this apartment on the top floor of a period redbrick terraced house on Eaton Square in Monkstown. Another attraction is the residents’ access to the beautiful park in the centre of the square – the perfect place to relax with a book or a picnic on a summer’s afternoon. What could seal the deal is the proximity to Monkstown village, with its crescent of restaurants, artisan food and home design shops, Blackrock village and the popular Seapoint bathing spot – just throw on your robe and stroll down for an early-morning dip.
No 1 Eaton Square is reached by granite steps, bringing you into a communal entrance hall with period letterboxes and bells. You don’t come across many apartments in these period houses any more – most have been returned to family homes – but this is a chance for young professionals to get established in this desirable area of south Dublin.
The apartment would also suit someone downsizing, but you’d want to be fit as there is no lift to bring you to the top floor, and you’ll have to hoof it up a rather narrow staircase to reach your new home, which encompasses 85sq m (915sq ft).
Once you get to the top, you’re greeted by a spacious hallway with a high, wooden-beamed ceiling. The living room is dripping with period charm, with original fireplace, picture rail and and varnished timber floors. The room has a dual aspect, with sash windows looking out on to Monkstown Road and towards the city.
There are two generous double bedrooms, each one boasting stunning views out to Dublin Bay. The larger bedroom has original period fireplace with tiled inset, brass hood and marble hearth; the smaller has built-in wardrobes.
Steps leads up to a small family bathroom with varnished timber floors and a feature frosted window. A storage cupboard beside the bathroom is plumbed for a washing machine. There’s also ample attic space, and access to the southwest-facing garden. So you can choose between topping off your tan in the privacy of the garden, or socialising with the other residents in Eaton Square Park. There’s a service charge of €2,184 per annum, which includes upkeep of the park.
The galley-style kitchen has plenty of built-in wall and floor units, worktop and stainless steel sink, but let’s face it: you’ll probably be spending a lot of time eating out in nearby restaurants such as Salt, FX Buckley’s, 8A Brasserie, Bresson, That’s Amore and Elephant & Castle. And when you get back to your new home, you’ll be heading straight into the bedroom for more of those stunning sea views.
The top-floor apartment at 1 Eaton Square, with a BER rating of F, is for sale through Sherry FitzGerald asking €565,000.
