Can't find a house in Dublin 4? Why not look at offices. With a glut in the office market, it could be time for some established office buildings to revert to family use. Property Editor Orna Mulcahy reports.
A lavishly refurbished redbrick house at 10 Clyde Road in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, is on the market at €6.5 million through McNally Handy & Partners.
The two-storey over garden level house was until recently the headquarters of Quinlan Private, the company controlled by property financier Derek Quinlan, who led a group of Irish investors in the buyout of the Savoy Hotel group in London.
The Clyde Road house is now being pitched at both the residential and commercial markets, given the present downturn in the office market, and the high prices being paid for well-located homes in the area.
Tree-lined Clyde Road, which runs in a straight line from Elgin Road to Wellington Place, is one of the most elegant roads in the neighbourhood, with a mix of imposing redbrick houses, modern and converted apartments and a well-known school, St Conleth's College.
The Victorian semi-detached house, which is flanked by a private residence on one side and the Egyptian embassy on the other, might also appeal to some of the 10 new members of the EU still looking for a well-located embassy office or residence in Dublin.
Selling agent John McNally already anticipates interest from foreign governments seeking a prestigious embassy, while allowing that the house may also be bought as a private home.
Several Georgian office buildings on Fitzwilliam and Merrion squares and on the surrounding streets, have been successfully reconverted into family homes in recent years, particularly as stringent planning regulations have dissuaded owners from embarking on high quality commercial updates.
Number 10 Clyde Road is a substantial redbrick with gracious reception rooms and a modern extension to the rear that is topped by a roof garden.
There is also a back garden, though part of this is being retained by the current owner as a mews site.
The 357 sq m (3,842 sq ft) house has been renovated to a high standard and retains many of its original features, such as marble fireplaces and ornate ceiling cornices.
The hall level is laid out in a traditional style with three reception rooms leading off a wide L-shaped hallway that has a fireplace and a tall arched window to the side with stained glass insets. The first floor is currently laid out as six separate offices while at garden level there is an office, kitchen and bathroom, as well as store room in the original part of the house.
The extension contains a large open-plan office and two further offices with the roof garden overhead.
There is off-street car-parking to the front for up to three cars.
