John McGuire, the entrepreneurial mastermind behind Quote Devil insurance brokers, and a fervid U2 aficionado, recently took a trip to Las Vegas to see his favourite band perform live in the Sphere – marking his second such venture. It raised the question – was his home in Ballsbridge, ‘Elevation’, named after U2’s 2001 hit? Serendipitously so, it seems, as his wife, TV host Karen Koster, had christened the residence upon seeing the blueprints of the towering four-bedroom town house that stood five stories tall, inclusive of the basement.
In 2008, McGuire purchased the plot, gaining planning permission, and two years later, construction on ‘Elevation’ commenced The couple, along with their three children, settled into their new abode in 2013. Boasting three capacious bedrooms, each situated on a unique level, a well-equipped basement boasting a bar and an expansive rooftop terrace spanning the entire uppermost floor, the house is ideal for entertaining. However, after relocating to Donnybrook a year and a half past, ‘Elevation’ is now listed for sale with Owen Reilly estate agents, at an asking price of €1.95 million.
The expansive 304-square-metre town house benefits from its convenient location, with popular locale Roly’s Bistro just a stone’s throw away, and Herbert Park acting as a beautiful urban garden for its dwellers only a few steps from their front door.
On entering from a sideway, you are greeted by a light-filled, double-height entrance hall, overseen by a first-floor mezzanine. A window in the entrance hall peers into a dedicated home office on the left, while a bookshelf further down houses a hidden entrance to the basement – a wine rack filled wall at the top of the stairs hints at the recreational function of the spacious cellar below. With its dark, party-friendly décor and central bar, this basement has hosted a multitude of soirees, including a New Year’s Eve party that saw a music gig by The Snails. McGuire also reveals that it doubles as a comfortable movie night venue, offering a cosy atmosphere for easy relaxation.
The basement of this property is equipped with an auxiliary room, while on the main floor, there’s a spacious garage suitable for parking your vehicle. The primary floor also features a double bedroom, situated on the flip side from the basement entrance. This room is virtually identical to two more double bedrooms which are located on the first and second floors. Each bedroom has an en suite, built-in wardrobes with sliding doors, and is well-lit by a widow above the bed and another window overlooking the entrance hall. There’s even a guest loo decorated in vibrant pink located on the main floor.
This elegantly refurbished and expanded five-bedroom property in Glenageary, valued at €4.75 million, is now ready for a new owner.
A well-lit, south-west oriented kitchen/dining area is on the first floor, featuring a sizable island as its main focus. A petite balcony, ideal for a greenery display, complements it. The cupboards have shown some wear, which might prompt the new owner to consider replacing them. A bedroom with an en suite and an additional guest loo are conveniently placed on the opposite end of the first floor.
The lounge, warmed by a gas fireplace and adorned with French doors that open to an extensive balcony, resides directly above the kitchen area on the second floor, providing views towards Herbert Park. The master bedroom, different from the other bedrooms in having an attached dressing room with vanity and ample wardrobe space, occupies the other end of the second floor. A separate balcony with faux grass flooring, accessed from both the bedroom and the lounge, serves as a casual seating area.
A spectacular rooftop terrace covers 87 square meters on the property’s top level, boasting views of Ballsbridge in every direction. It is divided into two areas – a paved patio offering views of Herbert Park and an alfresco dining area with faux grass looking out towards Aviva Stadium.
The idea of leaving Elevation was initially faced with reluctance by the eldest son of the previous owners, so McGuire agreed to retain the property until the boy adjusted to his new surroundings. Now that the family has comfortably moved nearby and continues to frequent their beloved local spots like Roly’s, The Lobster Pot, Bella Cuba and Al Boschetto, this opulent, B2-rated townhouse eagerly awaits its new owners – who may finally find what they’ve been searching for at this address.