Description
Retaining classical Victorian charm whilst incorporating wonderful elements of modern and contemporary, it's easy to see why 25 Castlewood Park was chosen as a deserving finalist of RTE's Home of the Year (2021).
Purchased in 2018 by a professional couple, with a keen passion for, and knowledge of period houses, restoration, sustainability and technology, Number 25 was largely derelict, not having been lived in since the late 1970s / early 1980s.
Keen to put their own stamp on this gracious property and be very hands-on in doing so, they collaborated with Architect Adrian Hill. His brief called for a tailored extension to the existing house. This work required a full refurbishment of the house and the addition of an extension to the rear merging old with new, which was to complement and contrast in equal measure. The result is both subdued and dynamic the classical red brick façade sits comfortably amongst its neighbouring properties, whilst the light-filled sympathetic 'old meets new' interior co-exists with a dynamic, geometric extension, as captivating outside as it is inside.
Now highly energy-efficient and future-proofed with a B3-rating, which is very impressive considering the house maintains all original features of its protected structure status.
The original floorboards, doors, architraves and staircase were painstakingly restored by the current owners over long evenings following a normal day's work. Original granite sills were repurposed as steps from the dining room through to the open plan kitchen/breakfast room. Conservation specialists were commissioned to restore the original fireplaces and to restore and double glaze the original sash windows.
The accommodation itself had to work the 164sq.m had to have balance; it had to lend itself to everyday family living, where every nook and cranny had to be functional and practical. Reception rooms were to be used and enjoyed. The kitchen needed to cater not only for cooking and dining but also storage and utilities; it also needed to communicate with both the reception space and outdoor space. Bedrooms were to be comfortable, incorporate storage and were to be served by two good bathrooms. Viewing of this special home will confirm that Number 25 scores very well on all of the above.
Nicely positioned on this one-way residential street, in the heart of Rathmines. Excellent local shopping, coffee houses, restaurants and leisure facilities are only a few minutes' walk away. Ranelagh and the city centre are both a pleasant stroll away.
Those discerning buyers looking for period charm and unique personality in a fantastic location need look no further! Accommodation
Ground Floor -
Entrance Hall -
With restored original ceiling rose and coving, solid smoked oak herringbone parquet flooring through into kitchen extension. Fanlight, archway, fully restored original banister and staircase
Guest WC -
With wash hand basin, w.c., dado rail, solid smoked oak herringbone parquet flooring, ornate wallpaper.
Drawing Room - 4.59m x 4.42m
A gracious reception room featuring coving, centre piece, restored original sash window with shutters and slim double-glazing, restored original floorboards, restored Carrera marble fireplace with an open grate, tiled inset and an ornate cast iron surround. All power and HDMI connections are hidden; going to both above the fireplace and into alcove. Salvaged folding double doors through to:
Dining Room - 3.88m x 4.14m
Decorated in Farrow & Ball London Clay. Restored original floorboards and fully restored black marble fireplace with an open grate, tiled inset and a decorative cast iron surround, coving, centre piece, cast iron radiator. Granite steps (repurposed window sills) down to:
Kitchen/Family Room - 6.48m max x 4.89m
Custom designed slim Shaker units with oak carcasses and dovetailed drawer units in Benjamin Moore Caldwell Green. Door handles are Dowsing & Reynolds knarled solid brass. Neolith Calacatta countertops and splashback with a silk/honed finish. Sink unit with Grohe chilled, filtered and sparkling water tap, integrated AEG appliances include dishwasher, fridge, freezer, oven, combi steam oven. Floating kitchen island on a custom steel frame incorporating Bora / Schott Ceran induction hob with downdraft extraction and countertop. The working area of the kitchen features a tiled floor and long roof light overhead bordered by sedum green roof, which floods the kitchen with wonderful light all day, exposed red brick wall frames the entrance to the dining room. The left-hand side of the kitchen features a full bank of hidden panelled wall units, which cleverly house under stairs storage/computer server space, guest w.c. as mentioned above, pantry/larder, utility space with plumbing for washing machine and tumble dryer and cupboard space. Solid smoked oak herringbone parquet flooring. Bi-folding crittall-style angled aluminium floor to ceiling glazing opens into the landscaped rear town garden.
First Floor Return -
Bedroom 3 - 3.93m x 3.02m
A bright double bedroom with a south-facing six-pane original sash window, with access to the sedum grass roof. Attic hatch.
Main Bathroom - 3.95m x 4.13m
NK Porcelanosa w.c., wash hand basin with a brass mixer tap, extractor fan, tiled floor, partly tiled walls, radiator with a heated towel rail, freestanding solid bath with brass fittings and ceiling shower with rainfall head and halo shower curtain rail. Wall colour Parched Earth (washable bathroom paint)
First Floor -
Bedroom 1 - 3.95m x 4.13m
A large main bedroom to the front. Painted with Farrow & Ball Dropcloth. Coving and picture rail, original floorboards, concealed storage behind the original chimney breast, built-in colour-matched cane wardrobes. Large sash window with double glazed unit fitted, recessed lighting and radiator.
Large Landing -
Coving, restored original timber floorboards, radiator, coloured stained glass picture window. Perfect home office space. Pull-down stairs to floored attic.
Shower Room - 3.46m x 2.09m
With w.c., large walk-in shower, Lefroy Brooks fittings, traditional towel rail radiator, antique wash-stand and display cabinets as well as Micro-cement walls. Sash window, ceiling coving, extractor fan and tiled floor. Originally the 4th bedroom.
Bedroom 2 - 3.93m x 4.13m
Another very fine double bedroom, with restored original coving, original floorboards and large sash window fitted with double glazing, overlooks the sedum green roof.
Outside -
The traditional railed front garden features a black and white tiled footpath and has been tastefully landscaped with gravel surround with Buxus hedging and Japanese Maple tree. Tulips flower in Spring and Hydrangeas in Summer. Enclosed bin store.The rear town garden (L6.9m x W6m approx.) is a veritable 'outside' room and has been designed accordingly. Bordered by two tall original cut-stone walls with a party wall clad in burnt larch, porcelain sandstone tiles adorn the sizeable patio area with a raised synthetic lawn surrounded by low-lying hedging. A wonderful sunny outdoor space, which enjoys a south-easterly aspect and is ideal for entertaining and relaxing with ample external power points.
Features
- BER B3 - fantastic rating considering the house maintains all original features of its protected structure status; a B-rating also qualifies buyers for a discounted/green mortgage rate with some banks
- G.F.C.H. with underfloor heating
- Alarm
- Fully rewired and replumbed in 2019
- New boiler, water tanks and pump installed
- All new radiators and underfloor heating system
- 3-zone heating with smart “Nest” thermostats (upstairs, downstairs and kitchen underfloor zones)
- All plumbing equipment is housed in attic space
- All joists were reinforced in the attic
- All original sash windows, surrounds and window boxes/shutters were restored and fitted with slim double-glazed units
- Roof was re-roofed with salvaged slate
BER Details
BER: B3
BER No: 106556590
Energy Performance Indicator: 146.33 kWh/m2/yr Negotiator
D06 H7N1 
