From its front facade, Lissadell on Leopardstown Road in Foxrock has small tell-tale signs that additions were made to the detached Edwardian redbrick home. Its owners, who have lived in the six-bedroom house for the last 36 years, explain: “It was very similar to the house next door, which used to be owned by [renowned horse trainer and show jumper] Iris Kellett”. Indeed if you take a peek at photographs of its neighbour, Cintra, online you can see the similarity and that the addition to Lissadell was a space attached to the right side of the front facade, which now gives 335sq m (3,606sq ft) of floor space, as opposed to the 285sq m (3,067sq ft) at Cintra.

The property, which lies on a generous site of almost half an acre, has had its fair share of being a participant in development plans since 2007. “We were literally hounded by developers who were offering crazy money, though it is just as well they never came through as it was just before the crash,” say the owners who are downsizing.

The property now has planning for a four-bedroom house on the site, but this will more than likely be purchased for the same reason it was originally constructed about a century ago – as a fine family home on generous gardens.

Repurposed

It has an old garage/coach house on the site which could be repurposed as ancillary accommodation or indeed as a home office.

The principal bedroom, which overlooks the front garden, is very generous as it extends to 35sq m – which is the size of some one-bedroom apartments in the city. Five additional bedrooms, a study and family bathroom complete upstairs, which has impressive stained-glass roof lights.

Downstairs, the front addition by previous owners added a reception hall and cloakroom to the property (with a larger principal room upstairs) while a drawing and diningroom run most of the width of the house with a family room, bar and kitchen breakfast room also at this level.

Although in good condition, new owners will more than likely want to upgrade the kitchen, some of the carpets and the wallpaper to give a more contemporary feel. In all, the bones of a fine house on a generous site is what will attract buyers.

Potential

The grounds of 0.45 of an acre have oodles of potential. Laid out as lawn with some mature trees they have maximum privacy and benefit from a sun-drenched patio off the kitchen.

Leopardstown Road is a highly regarded residential road with mature family homes of quality in the heart of Foxrock, and the house is within walking distance of Foxrock Village.

It has now been launched on the market through Lisney Sotheby’s International Realty, seeking €1.75 million.