DUBLIN 6: €12M:It costs multiple millions but then this six-bed on Oakley Road has been new refurbished and upgraded with cool, expensive and sophisticated good taste, writes Bernice Harrison.
IF SHERRY FitzGerald gets the asking price of €12 million for 22 Oakley Road it will be a record for a family house in Ranelagh but then this is a jaw-droppingly impressive property.
It's been worked on for the past year by owners who intended living there as their family home, so everything is done to the highest specifications - from the underfloor heating throughout downstairs to the solar panels on the roof - and all with cool, sophisticated and expensive good taste.
Along the way they realised that a 604sq m (6,500sq ft) six bedroom house is a little on the large side for them so they are staying where they are, and now that it's finished, it's on the market.
The detached Victorian house is unusual for many reasons. It is in Ranelagh, where gardens tend to be on the small side, but this house has a vast 38m long garden to the front and the same at the back.
So it's way back from the road, shielded by tall trees and behind automatic gates.
The renovation (which included restoration of the slate fireplaces and the decorative plaster work) also involved a major extension at the back but it's so sympathetically done that it's difficult to see where the original ended and the new-build begins.
Downstairs there are two impressive, high ceilinged formal reception rooms to the front. Further along the wide and airy hall, to the right, a secret door leads into a shelved study and this opens into a more informal family room at the back of the house.
To the right is the dining area with another secret door to a fully fitted out butlers pantry.
This area leads into the kitchen, a fabulous, John Daly design with the trademark traditional look of white painted timber units topped with marble. There's a fully kitted out utility room and wine cellar.
Also off the kitchen is another room with oversized glazed doors opening out onto a patio area at the front of the house.
While you wouldn't think it from viewing the front, this is a three-storey house and upstairs - walnut staircase, white carpets everywhere - the six bedrooms (four with luxurious en suites) are all doubles. They are spread out over two floors and off bright spacious landings.
There is also a games room and a sumptuous family bathroom.
The back garden is a real surprise. The large Victorian greenhouse has been restored and there is a patio area running along the back of the house as well as gazebo and a pleached lime walk.
While it has all been landscaped as part of the renovation, there's a wonderful old fashioned feel to the gardens.
To the front there is parking for eight cars.
22 Oakley Road, Dublin 6
Six-bedroom 603sq m (6,500 sq ft) house with 38m garden. An extension was added during the refurbishment.
Agent: Sherry FitzGerald
