Downsizers Brian and Anne Elliott have lived at 18 Deerpark Lawn in Castleknock for a good slice of their married life. They bought the property in 2002 and shepherded their five children through school and college there.
No 18 is also the spot from which Brian ventures forth every day to take his constitutional. The largest city public park in Europe – Phoenix Park – is just seven minutes’ walk from the house. In fact, Brian calls it “his back garden” and it was a big part of their decision to buy in the area.
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There is always something happening in the 1,750 acre park, says Brian, whether it’s the monthly farmers’ market at Farmleigh, feeding time at the zoo, cricket matches, or at this time of year, collecting conkers or carving pumpkins.
Wild herds of fallow deer have grazed in the park since the 17th Century. No doubt it was with this in mind that, in the 1970s, a group of developers christened their new luxury scheme just beyond the Castlepark main gate, the Deerpark.
This is the area of Castleknock known locally as ‘Millionaires’ Row’. The premium properties on the leafy streets of Deerpark regularly fetch prices well above the million euro mark – No 12 sold for €1.425m in January of last year, while No 1 Deerpark Close sold for €1.285m in July, 2018.
According to the latest property price report from Daft.ie, five-bedroom detached properties in Dublin 15, like those for larger properties in Dublin 6 and Raheny, not only held their value but rose year on year by 3.7pc.
No 18 is set on a wedge-shaped site at the end of one of two quiet cul de sacs in the estate. The house originally launched to market last year and quickly went sale agreed but that fell through when the buyer’s plans changed, says selling agent Julian Cotter, of Sherry FitzGerald. As a result, the property is back on the market at the same asking price.
Julian, who has sold a number of properties in the area, says houses in the neighbourhood with an E to G BER rating typically go for between €1.1m to €1.3m before renovations.
“You find buyers are very positive until the stage that the builder or surveyor walks through the property with them and gives them the bad news. A lot of people don’t realise how much materials and labour cost.”
The cost of renovations to upgrade insulation and heating, build an extension, and add en suites, Julian estimates, can be in the range of €200,000 to €300,000.
As a result, he finds that buyers are looking more closely at turnkey properties. “The price goes up to €1.5m to €1.7m, depending on how much has been done to it and who it suits.”
No 18 is in immaculate order and is a six-bedroom home, smartly designed with a dramatic double-height hallway, and a BER rating of C1, thanks to a complete refurbishment in 2003.
Back then, Brian and Anne also added a gym with sauna and hot tub – much to the joy of their sons – as well as a large hexagonal sunroom to the east-facing rear of the house. It now doubles as Brian’s office when he is home – he designs treatment programmes for HIV and AIDs patients in the developing world and travels widely.
The kitchen is to the front of the house and, two years ago, was remodelled and a bright red AGA was installed. Off the kitchen are a utility room with access to the side passage and front and rear gardens, as well as a drystore pantry.
The three open plan reception rooms lead off the generous entrance hall and are separated by partial walls. A prospective buyer could easily install sliding doors if they wished to add more privacy.
One room currently functions as the music room and holds a grand piano and Brian’s guitars.
“It’s a phenomenal house for a party,” adds Brian, who recalls many a family do and musical evening enjoyed by all at No 18.
There is plenty of storage space in Deerpark Lawn, including three cleverly designed cupboards concealed behind mirrors and a second store room, guest WC and boiler room.
Upstairs there are five bedrooms, all doubles. Two of the bedrooms have en suites, and there is a family bathroom.
The top floor has been converted into a large double bedroom with en suite and break-out space and is fully compliant. It would make an ideal granny flat or self-contained accommodation for an au pair.
There is off-street parking for a number of cars to the front of the property, which is gravelled and has a mature hedge boundary. It is set behind electronic gates. There is side access to the rear garden, which has a large deck, ideal for summer barbeques and sun-bathing. Set out in lawn and bound by mature specimen trees, it is a sheltered space that is not overlooked.
One of the big pluses of the property, says Brian, is that he can be at Dublin Airport in 12 minutes. The village of Castleknock is a few minutes’ walk away, and boasts a new Lidl; Blanchardstown Shopping Centre is 15 minutes’ drive away.
For those in search of a family home, there are excellent schools nearby, including Castleknock College, Mount Sackville, and St Brigid’s national school to the rear of No 18.
As for the Elliotts, they intend to find something smaller nearby. That way Brian can still take his daily walk in the park.
Era: 1970s
Size: 393sqm
BER: C1
Agent: Sherry FitzGerald (01) 820 1800
Viewing: By appointment
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