The township of Rathgar was developed by Frederick Stokes in the mid-1800s. The English commodity broker and steamship director lived on nearby Leinster Road and built houses on both small and grand scales to cater for all pockets. It was, however, low water rates that made Rathgar an attractive place to live during that period.

Alisa and Greg Hayden purchased Number 63 Frankfort Avenue, dating from the late 1850s, just over 10 years ago. It was "dark, dated and a bit of a disaster", says Alisa. The couple engaged architectural firm Meehan Associates to oversee the renovation and design an extension to the rear.

The extension adds 37sq m (400sq ft) to the original layout, bringing the total area to 154sq m (1,660sq ft). The gains in floor space, which add a family livingroom and en-suite guest room, were at the expense of the rear garden, which is now a small decked courtyard.

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To the front, the couple knocked the dividing wall between the two reception rooms, converting them into a bright living and dining area. An original marble fireplace still graces the livingroom and coving and ceiling roses in both rooms have been meticulously repaired. A cream kitchen, designed by In-House, has Iroko countertops, Chinese slate flooring and a whopper of a Belfast sink.

Illuminated courtyard

Beyond the kitchen lies the extension, which incorporates a family livingroom that opens out on to an illuminated decked courtyard, and an en-suite guest room.

Upstairs is a bathroom and three bedrooms. The en suite master takes up the front of the property and has a gas fire in the original fireplace.

The entire house, besides the kitchen, has rich Jatoba flooring, and all pine doors have been given a similar stain, as have the picture rails, which in places can feel a bit overpowering. New owners may want to lessen the impact of the dark stains throughout by painting the doors and rails a brighter colour.

Up the road Number 76, a pre 1963 property laid out in six flats, is for sale with an asking price of €600,000. Number 63, with all renovations complete, will be auctioned by Lisney with an AMV of €850,000.