Dublin 8: An unusual house on Curzon Street, Dublin 8 is expecting to exceed €620,000 at auction on 16th October next with Hamilton Osborne King.

Number 19 contrasts with the other houses on the road - all single-storey redbricks keenly sought-after for their cottage charm.

The three-bedroom house is believed to have been built by Lord Curzon for his own use, hence has an air of grandeur missing from the houses of his artisan neighbours. Designed like a miniature country house, the granite portico and quoins complement the brick exterior.

By the time the current occupants acquired the house, years of neglect had brought the once-magnificent interior to its knees. The challenge remains for a new owner to restore the house to its former perfection. Most of the period features have been ripped out and a large extension clad in beauty board has reduced the back garden to a narrow strip.

On a brighter note, elegant proportions, window shutters, some original floorboards and plasterwork are intact.New owners are likely to source fireplaces, replace unsightly uPVC window frames and redesign the kitchen area, ending up with a period gem anyone would love to own.

The front entrance opens to a fine arched hallway. Replacing fireplaces in the interconnecting sitting and diningrooms would be an easy job. Ditto the dividing doors. The kitchen and family room extension take up much of the original back garden. Three bedrooms and a bathroom are at the top of the original mahogany staircase.

The railed front garden is flagged, with ivy growing up the wall. A raised sleeper flower bed runs the length length of the narrow back garden.