Recently renovated hi-tech five-bedroom family home in Blackrock for €1.8m

Alan and Sandra Rhodes have spent the last 18 years at 69 Waltham Terrace. Seven years ago they decided it was time for a major overhaul, resulting in an architecturally designed home, with high specification technology, and lots of wood. Now, with an empty nest, they have placed their ultra-modern 300sq m (3,230sq ft) home on the market with an asking price of €1.8m through estate agent Gunne.

On entering number 69, one is immediately taken with the American white oak floating staircase; indeed the couple’s love of oak is evident throughout in the flooring and doors.

Smooth travertine wall
A formal reception room has a smooth travertine wall with integrated dancing flame gas fire and leads to a circular sunroom. Used as a breakfast room, the sunroom has tilt-and-turn windows, allowing each to be used as doors should a glorious summer arrive. The room is also lit from above by a dome ceiling window. The dining room, with a raised gas fire, houses an enormous table and is evident of the Rhodes's love of entertaining. A smaller room lined with bookshelves is used as a study.

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The kitchen is bright and airy, with white shaker-style units and sparkling black Silestone countertops. The appliances are all high end and include a Miele oven, GE fridge freezer, large Rangemaster and Fisher and Paykel double drawer dishwasher, cleverly set on counter level. The kitchen opens onto an Indian sandstone patio in a lovely landscaped back garden designed for minimal maintenance.

Upstairs on two levels are the five bedrooms, with the master en suite cleverly accessed through a walk-in wardrobe. The attic room is large and currently used as a teenager’s den.

The technology throughout number 69 is astounding; a Russound multi-room entertainment system with integrated ceiling speakers was installed at cost of €20,000. The house also features a Beam central vacuum system, a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) telephone system and boasts solar panels, which, according to the Rhodes, provide free hot water from May to September.

Mount Merrion is a highly desirable location and house prices have always reflected this. Mount Verde, a 254sq m (2,734sq ft) five-bedroom on Trees Road, is currently asking €950,000 and 15 Trees Avenue, a six-bedroom, 314sq m (3,383sq ft) property including a self-contained unit and separate basement, is on the market for €1.8million.

The price tag of €1.8m for Waltham Terrace seems ambitious but with the current upward trend it’s anyone’s call.