The Slazenger family is looking for a tenant to rent its second floor office suite at Powerscourt House, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow. The rent is negotiable, according to selling agent Padraic Hassett, but a price of £30 per sq ft is being mentioned for what has to be one of the most picturesque business locations in the country.
The agent has indicated that prospective tenants will be chosen on the basis that they will fit comfortably with Powerscourt's existing commercial enterprises. With a floor area of 4,037 sq ft divided between nine rooms, the offices would ideally suit as corporate headquarters or European base for a multi-national company. Exposed brick walls, oak panelling, raised timber floors and imaginative lighting are an architectural theme throughout the restored house, which was home to the Slazenger family for several generations before a fire destroyed the main building in November, 1974.
Access to the top floor office suite is either by private elevator or stairs from the ground floor restaurant and shops. The oak staircase has decorative iron rails, which were forged locally and the curved walls are of exposed brick.
The accommodation includes a semi-circular foyer and separate reception area, four spacious offices and a 526 sq ft boardroom. Most of the rooms look out over Powerscourt's gardens to the Wicklow mountains.
Dimensions are generous. The principle office measures 1,648 sq ft, an executive's room is 530 sq ft and the two smaller offices are 399 and 113 sq ft. The decorators have opted for an understated theme. Walls are of exposed original brick and the timber panelling has been painted dove grey. Deeper grey carpeting covers the floors in the large offices and there is a period-style fireplace in the reception area. Under-floor central heating and air-conditioning have been installed and some of the rooms have recessed lighting. The approximate rent quoted is higher than the going rate for most city centre offices and the four-year-and-nine-month lease will not be suitable for everyone.
However, the amenities offered by Powerscourt may compensate to some extent. The offices have a private gallery entrance to the restored great ballroom of Powerscourt for conferences and formal dinners and there are smaller conference rooms available if required.
In addition, the downstairs restaurant and banquet caterers Fitzers will supply in-house catering. Across the main driveway, Powerscourt Golf Club can be used by non-members for a green fee and the clubhouse restaurant is also open to the public. The 13 miles from the city to Powerscourt takes approximately thirty-five minutes at off-peak times. When the Southern Cross motorway opens in 2001, the journey to Dublin Airport will be reduced to a 45-minute drive.
