University House & Elmslea Cottage, 325 Perth Road, Dundee, DD2

Stunning opportunity on Perth Road, one of Dundee’s prime residential areas.

Description

University House is a magnificent Italianate style Victorian townhouse, dating from about 1865 and described as of the style of James MacLaren, who was one of the leading Dundee architects of his time. Originally known as Elmslea House it occupies an enviable position on the north side of Perth Road, with views out over the River Tay to Fife. It is an exceptional example of the fine townhouses that were built at that period. The house, while partially altered inside, still retains much of its interesting architectural features, both externally and internally. It is currently split into two apartments and an entertaining suite in the original ground floor reception rooms with a commercial kitchen. The house is built around a small inner courtyard. Given its past uses the property offers considerable scope either to recreate an outstanding and substantial house, or for further development, subject to any necessary consents. Facing south towards the River Tay, University House sits within its own impressive grounds, at the junction of West Park Road and Perth Road. It boasts its original gate lodge (Elmslea Cottage) at its entrance off Perth Road, and a further entrance from West Park Road, thereby enhancing its development prospects. University House is a most imposing property of great character, occupying one of the finest sites in Dundee, and was believed to have been divided in 1947. The upper floor apartment was most recently tastefully refurbished in 2018, as was the gate lodge, and the central heating system was also upgraded. The flat at the back has latterly been used for storage, while the fine reception rooms have been used for events and entertaining, serviced by the commercial kitchen. All three are interlinking but have their own separate entrances. There are views from the upper floors through the garden trees and over the Tay to Fife.

Stone gates piers with gates from the Perth Road open onto a gravelled drive which leads past Elmslea Cottage and continues to the side of the house, arriving at tarmacked parking at the rear. Steps lead up to covered entrance with a front door to an entrance vestibule with ornate cornicing, panelled walls, mosaic tiled floor and a further entrance door to ramped access and a door giving access to the flat above. An inner door opens to an impressive hallway, again with ornate cornicing and panelled walls, together with a wooden floor. Off this is a magnificent drawing room with ornate ceiling, bay window, marble fireplace, window shutters and wooden floor. This opens through to an equally impressive dining room, again with an ornate ceiling, bay window and wooden floor, along with a fireplace with wooden mantel and double opening external doors to the garden, where there was once a conservatory. Also off the hallway is a cloakroom, off which are gents, ladies and disabled WCs, the latter having a hatch leading down to an underfloor wine cellar, previously used as a plant room. An inner passage gives access to a store room, pantry with a stainless-steel sink and commercial dishwasher, and to the commercial kitchen with chiller cabinets, ice machine, two sinks, Moorwood Vulcan oven with six ring gas hob, extractor hood, grill, microwave, and central storage and preparation unit. From the kitchen a side passage runs alongside the inner courtyard to a side entrance door and a plant room with two wall mounted ACV Prestige boilers and a separate WC with wash basin, and gives access to the rear flat. This also has its own entrance at the back of the house and comprises a hallway with stairs to the first floor and walk in understairs cupboard, a sitting room/bedroom and a kitchenette with sink, and a shower room with wash basin WC and shelved cupboard.

A further side entrance, also linked to the main entrance vestibule, opens to a staircase leading to the first floor flat with lobby and vestibule which opens to a hallway with ornate cornicing and wood panelling to dado level and walk in shelved cupboard. Off this is a study/bedroom with a fireplace with electric fire. A double aspect sitting room has a cornice, picture rail, window shutters, fireplace with electric fire, display shelves and doors to a dining room again with cornice, picture rail and window shutters, along with two wall lights, fireplace with electric fire, recessed shelves and wooden floor. Bedroom 1 is double aspect with cornice, picture rail, window shutters and a partially tiled en suite with shower room, wash basin and WC. The fully fitted kitchen has composite worktops and Siemens appliances inclusive of a dryer, washing machine, under counter freezer, dishwasher and fridge, together with a Franke sink, NEFF induction hob, grill and oven. Off a side landing, which connects to stairs from the rear flat, is bedroom 2 with cornice, picture rail and window shutters. Bedroom 3 also has a cornice and picture rail, and a fitted wardrobe, while a bathroom has a bath, shower cubicle, washbasin, bidet, WC and tiled floor. Stairs continue up to second floor with under eaves storage cupboards, laundry room with Belfast sink, Bosch washing machine and Electra dryer, along with two attic bedrooms with fitted cupboards.

The gardens surrounding University House have some fine specimen trees, as well as lawns and shrubs. Adjacent to the dining room is a paved terrace, while a sunken lawn would be ideal for croquet. A side garden has lawns and a small greenhouse. At the back, adjacent to the entrance from West Park Road, is a former stone built stable block and which now comprises two wood panelled garages, with power and light, a former stable and store room.

Elmslea Cottage is an attractive stone built lodge, with a slate roof, which at one point was divided into two. A front door opens to a vestibule with an inner door to a double aspect sitting room with a shelved cupboard. Off this is a bedroom, shower room with shower, washbasin and WC, and a kitchen with fitted units, a Lamona cooker with four ring gas hob and extractor, together with a sink. Also off the sitting room is a utility room (previously another kitchen when the cottage was divided) with fitted units, sink, plumbing for a washing machine and a shelved cupboard. Off an entrance hallway, with a cupboard, are two further bedrooms, one with a shelved cupboard and one with a cupboard housing a wall mounted Worcester boiler, together with a bathroom with bath, washbasin and WC. There is an enclosed area of garden to the side.

Location

University House and Elmslea Cottage are situated within a prestigious residential area within the West End of Dundee, on Perth Road. As the ground rises so the views out over the Tay and to Fife become ever more impressive. The property is excellently located for Ninewells Hospital, the Technology Park, the Botanical Gardens, the universities and the airport. There is ease of access both to the city centre and to the A90 dual carriageway. Dundee offers all the facilities expected of a major city. Local schooling can be found at Blackness Primary and Harris Academy. Private schooling is available at Dundee High School. There is a mainline railway station with services both north and south, including a sleeper. Dundee Airport has flights to London Heathrow. The A90 dual carriageway provides easy access to Aberdeen and to Perth and on to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Dundee is an established centre of excellence in education and life sciences, and has renowned cultural facilities, including the V&A museum. Away from the city, the range of outdoor pursuits is impressive, including sailing on the River Tay, angling and walking in the Sidlaw Hills. Over the River Tay is St Andrews, “Home of Golf”, whilst the championship course at Carnoustie is only a few miles up the coast. Local beaches and the Angus glens are also easily reached.

Square Footage: 7,900 sq ft



Directions

If coming from the city centre, turn onto Nethergate passing Dundee Contemporary Arts venue and on to Perth Road. Continue on Perth Road passing Harris Academy and turn right onto West Park Road, and the gates will be seen on the left. If coming on the A90 from Perth, at the first roundabout turn right onto the A85 signposted City Centre and Tay Bridge. Then after 0.4 miles take the second turning on the left, onto Perth Road signposted Ninewells and University of Dundee. Take the second exit at the next roundabout, following signs for the City Centre and after 0.5 miles bear left at the corner (continuing on Perth Road and signposted University of Dundee). After passing the Taypark House Hotel, turn left onto West Park Road, and the gates will be seen on the left.

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Distances – Dundee City Centre 1.8 miles, St Andrews 15 miles, Carnoustie 15 miles, Perth 20 miles, Edinburgh 57 miles, Aberdeen 67 miles

Additional Info

Viewings - Strictly by appointment with Savills - or

Services - Mains water, electricity, drainage and gas. Gas central heating.

Local Authority & tax band - Dundee Council. Reception Centre Rateable Value £12,600, University House Band G, 325 Perth Road Band D, Elmslea Cottage Band C.

Fixtures & Fittings - Fitted carpets and light fittings are included and certain furnishings may be available in addition.

Planning - University House, Elmslea Cottage, the boundary walls and gate piers are Listed Category B. The property lies within the West End Suburbs Conservation Area. Elmslea Cottage and the flats within University House are Class 9 and Class 9 Sui Generis respectively. We believe the ground floor of University House is Class 10 use, in line with its role as part of the wider operation of the University of Dundee.

Photos taken and brochure produced March 2025

Servitude rights, burdens and wayleaves
The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether contained in the Title Deeds or informally constituted and whether referred to in the General Remarks and Stipulations or not. The Purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied himself as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.

Offers
Offers, in Scottish legal form, must be submitted by your solicitor to the Selling Agents. It is intended to set a closing date but the seller reserves the right to negotiate a sale with a single party. All genuinely interested parties are advised to instruct their solicitor to note their interest with the Selling Agents immediately after inspection.

Deposit
A deposit of 10% of the purchase price may be required. It will be paid within 7 days of the conclusion of Missives. The deposit will be non-returnable in the event of the Purchaser(s) failing to complete the sale for reasons not attributable to the Seller or his agents.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that:

1. They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact.
2. Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise.

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