A96E897 6 beds8 baths485 m2
| Beds | 6 beds |
| Price | Sold |
| Property Type | |
| Size | 485 meters2 |
| Energy Rating | BER-C2 |
| Refreshed on | |
| Eircode | A96E897 |
Description
The slopes of Killiney Hill Road quietly shelter some astonishing architectural gems, and Villa Maria is at the forefront of these. Designed and built in 1954, it is both extraordinary and unique. Renowned architect Jack O'Hare's central vision was to escape the idea of a house-as-a-box. Instead, you have layers of living accommodation, including a marvellous “bridge” in which you will find five of the six bedrooms. This layering also continues to bring the outside in, so that the beautiful and bright living area off the kitchen has a central skylight that is screened by vines of Jasmine, flowering in both winter and summer. The house surprises throughout, opening views, and shaping fresh vistas everywhere you look. The present owners who purchased the property in 1986 have upgraded and carried out extensive works to preserve the future of Villa Maria, including bringing copper from Australia, sourcing hand carved granite, and adding stone reclaimed from a Co Wicklow convent to complete the works. They also engaged award winning landscape architect Robert Carson to fully integrate the house and gardens. Sprawling over c.485sq.m, there is ample space, including a study with views to Dalkey Island and marvellous sunrises. Spaces open to terraces, making it ideal for entertaining, and every room has a different ambience. The design also cleverly means you can enjoy the space to its fullest extent whatever the season or weather. In addition to the 6 Ensuite Bedrooms of Villa Maria there is a separate Mews, which is totally private to the main house, with its own motorised gates, driveway, & courtyard car parking. Two double bedrooms, each en-suite, underfloor heating & HR-ventilation throughout. Obvious opportunities for income, or extended family or staff accommodation. This stretch of South Dublin's coastline is justly renowned as one of the most desirable in the whole island, and Villa Maria represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make it, and a visionary piece of architecture your home. Laid out over three levels, Villa Maria cleverly separates living, entertaining and sleeping areas. The large and bright entrance hall has a natural stone floor, and leads to a wonderful lounge that opens to an expansive terrace. There is also a fireplace for cooler days. To the right is the living / dining area, again with a fireplace and again opening to a terrace. Beyond this is the Shaker-style kitchen with marble counter tops and a large range for all your culinary needs. There is also a utility room off. To the left of the hall find a library, and a study with views to Dalkey Island. A curving staircase brings you down to a self-contained apartment that has its own large living room, bedroom and kitchen, and which can also be accessed from outside. At this level, also find a recreation area with its own external access. This includes a gym, storage, workshop, wc and wine room. Reached via an open wooden staircase, the upper level of Villa Maria is the bedroom floor. The landing has views to the Obelisk that tops Killiney Hill, and each of the five bedrooms are en-suite. All have their own characters, and all are doubles. The master is magnificent. Picture windows, including a floor-to-celling Apex, give views of Sorrento Terrace and Dalkey Island. The suite has its own decked balcony, and there is also a walk in wardrobe, and very spacious ensuite. The bedroom floors are oak throughout, and the bedrooms feature fitted wardrobes, and beautifully appointed bathrooms. Villa Maria was inspired by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who is best known for his iconic Guggenheim Museum in New York, and the extraordinary private homes he created, including Falling Water and Talesian West. Wright, who believed in what he named Organic Architecture, was also renowned as a teacher and Jack O'Hare was only the second Irish student ever to study with Wright at Talesian. More would follow, and they and their disciples would help to bring new architectural thinking to Ireland. Wright's idea of organic architecture was based on the idea that buildings should grow around the landscape, and be beautifully suited to the scale and needs of people. Translating this to what must surely have been a dream of a site, O'Hare created a house that follows the contours of the hill, and offers 270 degree views of the incredible sweep of the bay. Described in an article from the 1950s as a “Castle in the Air,” inside rooms flow, also following Wright's idea of changing levels and heights, so that as you go, you get a sense of things opening up, and then cocooning you once again. The present owners have done a great deal of work upgrading O'Hare's revolutionary vision, so that today the house is presented in wonderful condition, a testament to O'Hare's dream, and the love and care that has gone in to presenting it today. The c1.3 acre site at Villa Maria must be among the best in Dublin. With views as far as Bray Head, and taking in the Wicklow Mountains and Dalkey Island, Villa Maria has been laid out to offer viewing spots, and sheltered nooks. Screened by trees, you are utterly private, and the micro climate of this part of Ireland means that palm trees, tree ferns, a magnificent eucalyptus and other flora share a Mediterranean feel. The current owners engaged Gold Medal winning landscape architect Robert Carson to work on the renovation of the site, and his work is both utterly sympathetic and completely breath-taking. An exceptionally influential designer, who also created the layouts for the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Carson's deep understanding of Villa Maria enhances the house's legacy. Accessed by electric gates, the drive brings you to a large lawned area, above which the house rises from a series of terraces. These offer separate and communal seating areas, and points at which to enjoy the sun throughout the day. Find also reflecting pools, a Zen garden, mature borders and everywhere planting designed to create and shape fresh views. The elevated site also offers wonderful vistas down the sweep of the land, across some of Ireland's most desirable real estate, right to the beach below. Main House - 6 Bed - 8 Bath - 485sqm -Detached Mews - 2 Bed - 2 Bath - 58sqm - Detached Services: Gas Fired Central Heating Mains Water Septic Tank
Accommodation
MAIN HOUSE - Ent hall: - Welcoming entrance with skylight and recessed lighting over a natural stone floor. Guest w.c.: - spacious w.c with wash hand basin Comm's room: - Located under the stairs. Drawing room: - Superb reception room with picture windows enjoying stunning views from Sorrento Terrace across Killiney Bay incorporating Dalkey Island, Bray Head and North Wicklow Mountains. Le Droff fireplace with coal effect gas fire, door to raised patio area: Kitchen/living/dining: - Exceptionally bright and welcoming with natural stone floor, picture windows, French door to large south facing patio area. Liscannor fireplace with multi fuel stove, recessed lighting. Attractive feature overhead atrium ceiling with Jasmine which blooms both winter and summer. The raised kitchen area is fitted with a shaker style kitchen with marble countertops, integrated dishwasher, Samsung American Fridge, 6 ring LLVE range with two ovens and warming drawer Utility Room: - Spacious utility room with floor and eye level storage units and sink unit. Doors to side garden. Home office/Study: - fitted desk and skylight recessed lighting The round room office: - picture windows with stunning views. Atrium ceiling Back Stairs: - Large spiral stairs, atrium ceiling Lower Level - Self-contained 1 Bedroom Apartment. - Guest w.c: - Wash Hand Basin and w.c. fully tiled recessed lighting Bedroom 1: - Double room with bow windows, recessed lighting. Ensuite: - Fully tiled with bath and shower attachment, heated towel rail, w.c. and wash hand basin Dressing room: - Walk in dressing room with fitted wardrobes units Living/Dining: - Open plan space with tiled floor recessed lighting, granite fireplace with gas fire, Picture windows with views over bay and up to the Obelisk. Kitchen: - fitted grey shaker style units, marble countertops, tiled splashback, Zanussi microwave, fridge, Stoves double oven and 4 ring gas hob and extractor, skylight. Porch: - separate tiled entrance porch Recreation Area: - Entrance hall: - with tiled floor door to Store/tool room: - Guest w.c.: - with wash hand basin and w.c. Gym area: - with tiled floor and two windows Wine store: - again with tiled floor First Floor - Main Bedroom: - Stunning main room with Apex ceiling and recessed lighting, picture windows with views of Sorrento Terrace and Dalkey Island. Steps to French doors to decked balcony enjoying the most incredible unobstructed views. Oak timber floors, fitted shelving and TV unit. Ensuite: - Fully tiled bath, shower unit with shower attachment and overhead shower, wash hand basin in vanity unit with w.c. Walk in Wardrobe: - with hanging and shelving units Landing: - bright landing with airing cupboard and views to Killiney Obelisk Bedroom 2: - Double room with oak floor, fitted W.I.W Ensuite: - Fully tiled with shower unit, w.c. & wash hand basin. Chrome heated towel rail. Door to south facing deck area. Bedroom 3: - Double room again with oak floors, sliderobe built-in wardrobe. Ensuite: - w.c., wash hand basin, chrome heated towel rail, shower unit, recessed lighting and fully tiled. Bedroom 4: - Double room again with oak floors and walk in wardrobe. Ensuite: - w.c., wash hand basin, chrome heated towel rail, shower unit, recessed lighting and fully tiled. Bedroom 5: - Stunning guest room with oak floors, large picture window with window seat. Ensuite: - w.c., wash hand basin, chrome heated towel rail, shower unit, recessed lighting and fully tiled. MEWS - Living/Kitchen: - Floor and eye level units with granite worktop, integrated fridge, Miele microwave oven, Stoves double oven and 4 ring gas hob, Miele dishwasher. Living Room: - Tiled floor with wood burning stove. First Floor - Bedroom 1: - Double room with fitted wardrobes Ensuite: - wash hand basin, chrome heated towel rail, shower unit, recessed lighting and fully tiled. Bedroom 2: - Double room with fitted wardrobes and oak floors Guest w.c: - Wash Hand Basin and w.c. fully tiled recessed lighting
Features
BER Details
BER: C2 BER No: 112983879 Energy Performance Indicator: 178.81 kWh/m2/yr
Negotiator
Rosie Mulvany
Date created: Jun 2, 2021
