There is no shortage of very large period homes in the Monkstown neighbourhood around De Vesci Gardens, the 4.5 acre lush private park used by the houses that overlook it. Number 2 Sloperton is one such house, a fine, two-storey over garden-level 19th-century home spread over 376sq m (4,047sq ft) that includes a two-bedroom, self-contained garden-level apartment.
The current owners bought in 1996 when it had already been brought back into a family home – like many of the vast houses in the neighbourhood it had at one time been in flats – so they held off any major renovation until 2006 when the work included reconfiguring the upstairs rooms to provide a luxurious bedroom suite that runs from front to back, with a large bedroom overlooking the park, and a wardrobe-lined dressing area in the middle which links into a bathroom at the rear. This has the expected upscale features of mosaic tiling, matching sinks and his-and-her showers.
Like everywhere else in this house, there’s no shortage of original features in this main bedroom, including working shutters on the tall, sash windows and decorative ceiling coving. Also on this level are three more bedrooms, by far the largest is in the rear return with a lovely box bay window deep enough to take a sofa. This room has its own en suite, while the two smaller bedrooms share a shower room at the top of the house.
At the time of the first renovation a new kitchen was installed to the rear at hall level – painted timber units, a granite-topped peninsula – with a utility up a few steps in what was probably originally a butler’s pantry.
Also at hall level are two beautifully proportioned interconnecting reception rooms. In 2016 the house was renovated again – new features from that time include limed oak wide-plank flooring in the front reception room, which sits perfectly with the rich-in-detail white marble chimneypiece and the other original features. At that time the rear reception, which had been a formal diningroom became a TV room with a bespoke unit built against one wall. The kitchen was spruced up with new tiling and grey paint for the cupboards but given this level of the market, it’s likely new owners will put in a new kitchen.
The son of the owners – he grew up in the house – describes as “a game changer” the deep, railed terrace across the rear and accessed off the kitchen. Built in 2016 it’s a sun trap that’s large enough for several seats and a barbecue. It has steps down to the tiered back garden. An interesting rear timber porch with integrated seating opens into a games room at garden level.
The two-bedroom apartment – updated in 2016 – has over the years been home to au pairs, visiting relatives and grown-up children returning for a while. It’s likely that new owners will find similar uses for it, although it could also be a secluded home office.
These houses are set well back from the quiet road with striking tall railings; number 2 has a pedestrian gate, a substantial front garden with mature hedges and trees. There is parking to the side for two or three cars, accessed via a lane shared with the coach house, now a separate property.
Decoratively the house has had a refresh and presents in walk-in condition with mostly cool greys and crisp white paint throughout.
Monkstown is one Dublin suburb that has improved in terms of amenities remarkably during lockdown with the Crescent – a short stroll from Sloperton – now lined with a range of restaurants, buzzing with outdoor tables and chichi shops.
Lisney is the agent selling 2 Sloperton with an asking price of €2.95million.
