Seagrange, Sandycove Avenue East, Sandycove, Co Dublin, A96E027, Ireland

INTRODUCTION

It's not often we come across a property such as Seagrange and don't want to shout about it. In fact, it feels wrong to do anything but whisper discreetly, as Seagrange is a secret, one which we are almost reticent to reveal.

Hidden away from public view yet with its own private view; conveniently located beside every possible amenity yet feeling far away from it all; Seagrange inhabits its own magical world.   

Disappearing through the unobtrusive electric gates into Seagrange is much like Harry Potter dashing through the solid brick wall at Platform 'Nine and Three Quarters' in King's Cross Station. If you didn't know the discreetly located entrance was actually there, you might never find it.

Even if you were aware of its existence, there is no indication of what you might find at the end of the long, straight gravelled driveway. Enclosed by high hedging to either side, your eye is automatically drawn up the gradual incline towards the light of the wide open sky.

Curiously, regardless of how often you enter those gates, you can't help but smile each and every time, as you experience that same tingle of anticipation. You may know what to expect, but somehow, it always manages to surprise.

Arriving home, in the true sense of the word, you are rewarded on every occasion, by the ever changing presentation provided by mother nature. Regardless of the season or the weather, the sudden and always surprising sight of the panoramic view over the wide open Irish Sea and big sky is breathtaking and stops you in your tracks.

Indeed, with the delightful vista of attractively undulating gardens leading to expansive sea views, first time visitors might take some time before even considering turning around to acknowledge the property itself.

Benefiting from the foresight of the original developer circa 1840, Seagrange is one of the rare few detached properties in the sought-after Sandycove area to enjoy generous private gardens and frontline sea views.

Built with complete respect for its magnificent coastline setting, Seagrange sits back comfortably in its surroundings to enjoy the view and makes no attempt to compete with it.

This elegant detached villa style family home is however, deceptive and belies its generous proportions and size of circa 594sqm / 6,394sqft.

A true family home, the floor plan layout ideal for easy modern day living, including both formal and informal reception rooms, five large double bedrooms, each with en suite facilities and a vast bright kitchen/dining/living area, it provides everything a growing family might require or desire.

MAIN HOUSE ENTRANCE LEVEL:
Built to snuggle into the natural rocky contours of the coastal terrain, famous for its Dalkey granite, Seagrange appears villa style to the front but is distinctly two-storey to the rear.

Extended, renovated and upgraded throughout, with double glazing and underfloor heating, this spacious home always feels cosy and warm and it's thoughtfully redesigned layout facilitates family living without compromising on period style..

The raised main entrance door is accessed via a short flight of cut granite steps through double doors and a porch and through to the panelled reception hall. At this point the size and proportions of this period property become evident, as your eye is drawn down through the length of the hallway to the dramatic stained glass window and grand sweeping staircase leading to the ground floor level.   

The main reception rooms are located to either side of the central hallway, featuring solid timber floorboards and the original solid mahogany panelled doors crowned by classical decorative panels.

As you might expect, classical details abound in the Drawing room, including coving, architraves and panelling along with the quirky addition of a 'mock door' (also in solid mahogany), going nowhere but providing hidden storage within the shelved recessed cupboard.

A pillared Carrera marble mantelpiece with decorative cast iron inset and a coal eect gas fire provides a central focus, if indeed, you manage to draw your eyes away from the garden and sea views provided by large windows to the front and side.

Across the hall, is the second reception room, equally elegant with classical decorative detail, currently used as a formal dining room due to its convenient proximity to the kitchen for serving, (via double doors and the interconnecting kitchen corridor). It features an elegant grey and white classical marble mantelpiece with a slate inset with reeded brass surround and a coal eect gas fire.

Unusual in its design, the entrance hall opens out before the main staircase where an inner hall bisects it, running left and right to the rear of the main reception rooms.

On the right side of this inner hallway, privately tucked away from the reception areas, is the main bedroom suite, entered via a large dressing area with extensive built in wardrobes and dressing table opening further into the bedroom itself, giving access to a private terrace overlooking the gardens and sea. Just o the bedroom to the rear, is a the large en suite bathroom with more than enough space for a free standing bath, walk in shower, W.C. bidet, mirrored vanity unit and extensive additional storage.

On the opposite side of the inner hall there is direct access to the rear of the kitchen and to a further small rear corridor, where both the spacious cloak/store room and a substantial guest bathroom (featuring a free standing slipper bath) are located.

The informal kitchen/living/dining area itself measures a vast (110sqm/ 1184sqft), with a pitched roof and with glazed section overlooking the sea. Truly the hub of the home, numerous double doors provide direct access in all directions: to the dining room, the inner hall and to the terraces (for ease of outdoor entertaining) and via a nautical style spiral staircase to the large yet cosy Family/TV room on the floor below. Needless to say, this spectacular room also provides
wonderful views over the gardens and seascape.   

MAIN HOUSE GROUND FLOOR
Accessed via the main staircase (or via the spiral stairs from the kitchen) the ground floor opens out to a large space currently used as an informal entertainment area (ideal for teenagers) including a much used pool table, but with fitted bookshelves and double doors to one of the attractive courtyards, it could have a myriad of other uses including as a library, study area or home oce.

This large space gives access to a laundry/utility room, comms area, linen cupboard and (in addition to the main bedroom suite at entrance level), four more double bedrooms, each with their own personality and all with built in wardrobes and their own individual en suite shower rooms.

One of the two smaller double bedrooms has double doors to a sunken east facing patio area and is known as the 'Rock Room', as its en suite shower room features a dramatic protrusion of granite which the original builder was wise enough not to attempt to move. The other has double doors providing access to a seating area in one of the two charming courtyard gardens, giving it the feeling of a private holiday hideaway.

The further two bedrooms are both very spacious doubles, one facing east currently furnished as twin room and the other facing west, which also has ample space for a Superking bed along with extensive built-in storage, bookshelves and a large corner desk.

Accommodation at ground floor level extends to another guest WC and the aforementioned spacious Family/TV room with an atmospheric gas stove in addition to the underfloor heating. This bow windowed room has been used in the past as an ideal children's playroom (within easy access to the kitchen via the spiral staircase) and is now the chosen spot for cosying up to watch movies or sports, read or play board games.   

SEAGRANGE MEWS (GARAGE WITH STUDIO APARTMENT ABOVE)

A separate structure to the main house, Seagrange Mews is two storeys, with a double garage below with pedestrian access from the courtyards and an electric up-and-over door, conveniently accessible to cars from Sandycove East Lane along with a studio apartment located above (and accessed via a separate secure entrance door and internal staircase).

There is also an additional pedestrian gate (with security code and camera) from the same laneway in to Seagrange via one of the rear courtyards, Post (such as it is these days) is delivered to the mailbox in the wall alongside this pedestrian gate and garbage collection is conveniently made from the same laneway.

This additional studio/mews accommodation is ideal for students, an au pair, as a study, work room, oce space or even for extra guests, should it be required. It consists of a shower room and a separate large multi-functional room which includes wardrobe space, a fold away double bed and good kitchen facilities discreetly hidden behind a neatly designed trifold door. Its large corner window/doors provide bright south-east light and ventilation.

OUTBUILDINGS

Apart from the double garage, the courtyards to the rear also provide alternative storage in the form of a paint shed (for smaller items) and a secured large boiler room (an ideal spot for items requiring bone dry and warm long term storage).

Further down the main garden, the gardeners have their own timber shed storage for the lawn mower and garden tools and there is of course, the attractive folly, a solid structure providing shelter from the elements if needed and a private hideaway, if desired.   

GARDENS

Much like a classical Mediterranean villa, the property features numerous terraces, balconies, patio and seating areas from which you can relax and enjoy the sea views. In addition, there are two charming Italian style courtyards to the rear, oering an alternative al fresco atmosphere.

The extensive south-east facing gardens are well maintained and generously planted with a wide variety of specimen trees including Himalayan Birch, Fig, Cordyline, Golden Ash and Whitebeam and shrubs such as flowering Quince, Agapanthus, Olearia, Camellia, Fuchsia and Boston Ivy.

The garden oers options, from a lazy siesta in the Folly to the drama of the walled 'Prow Walk' which, with the proximity of the sea just below, and as the name suggests, is much like experiencing leaving land behind and heading out to sea on the prow of a ship.   

LOCATION

The attraction of living on the South County Dublin coastline has not diminished since it first became fashionable in the early/mid 19th century.

With every possible amenity on your immediate doorstep including the best schools, transport links, sailing and water sports, coastal walks, parks, restaurants, cafes, bars and specialist stores etc. many aspire to living close to the coastline, with all it has to oer.   

Sandycove however, has its own special all year round holiday atmosphere, attracting daily sea swimmers and occasional day trippers to its charming little beach and nearby cafes and restaurants in Glasthule village.

Those lucky enough to live in the vicinity describe it as being 'relaxed, friendly and easy' and would never consider living anywhere else. Property prices reflect this, with existing residents trading up or down within the immediate area.

Seagrange however, is special, as it is one of the very few detached family homes in the Sandycove area which enjoys great privacy, large gardens and frontline sea views.