Located in Sutton, “Ceuta” offers a unique chance to own and potentially renovate an architecturally noteworthy three-bedroom house with impressive ocean vistas, situated on a more serene road as compared to numerous other waterfront properties in north Dublin.
The prior owners, who were integral to Dublin’s bohemian community in the 1920s, assigned the task of designing a new abode on Strand Road in Sutton to budding architect Michael Scott in 1932. They spent their honeymoon in Ceuta – a Spanish enclaved city located on Morocco’s shoreline, and consequently, integrated elements from the homes they observed there into this waterfront three-bedroom property, which also carries the name of their vacation destination.
Scott, who ascended the ranks to become one of Ireland’s most acclaimed architects, envisioned an Art Deco dwelling for the couple, styled in
International Realism. The exterior of 183 square meter (or 1,969 square feet) house is safeguarded by a preservation regulation. Thus, whilst it could garner benefits from a minor aesthetic overhaul, new owners would need to honour the existing fixtures and fittings, such as the ceramic sills, the wrought-iron balcony and porch, the shutters, and the windows which include an additional layer of glazing on the original frames and has a Ber rating of D2. “Ceuta,” or 29 Sutton Strand, has now been listed on the market with JB Kelly estate agents asking for €995,000.
During my sightseeing tour, with Dublin Bay concealed by a dense fog and regular sights of Dalkey Island and Bray Head obscured by sea mist, the site treated me to limited sea vistas from the ground floor and breathtaking views from the second. An extension includes access to the slab roof through the main bedroom – adding another surprise level.
The property was inherited by the existing owner’s parents, who enlisted architect Mary Laheen to construct an extension. Laheen added a curved wing to the northeastern facade of the two-story, four-bay property. Providing a curtain of privacy, a thickly grown garden greets you at the entrance behind a tall stone wall.
Upon the emerald-hued entrance door, a glazed porch offers shelter, leading directly into a brief passageway. Stepping inside, to the right one will encounter the doorstep of the main living space, contrastingly, the kitchen is located to the left. The living area boasts a dual outlook presented through a petite window facing the front and expansive double doors discreetly placed at the rear. Intricate shelving is built-in, accentuated by a sophisticated, protracted marble fireplace in a cream finish that features shelving niches and a slim, upper clerestory window.
An abundantly luminous connecting chamber connects the primary living area and the kitchen. This flexible space could be reimagined, increased in size for a more spacious culinary or recreational area if desired by a new proprietor. The posterior wall of the kitchen exhibits a unique curvature shape, accommodated by custom units and shelving that enhances the peculiarity of this dual-aspect room equipped with the same small window facing the front.
A relic from the 1930s, the back door open ups to a petite garden, a lush oasis of diverse foliage and trees. This miniature delight comes with a small patch perfect for a bit of putt practice. Access to additional areas such as the garage and utility can also be found here. Upon returning to the hallway, a guest lavatory exhibiting a deeply hued green can be found.
Ascending the carpeted staircase, a grand principal bedroom occupies the first floor, sharing the same intriguing curved wall as the kitchen below. Mysterious ceiling windows add to the charm. An unexpected spiral staircase ascends to a skylight, granting access to a flat rooftop and potentially even more breathtaking marine panoramas.
The floor also hosts additional rooms, including two out of the three bedrooms, which provide breathtaking views over Dublin Bay. A potential new proprietor might propose a layout inversion of the living quarters or even convert one of the bedrooms into an additional living area. A shared bathroom with a distinctive dome skylight presents itself, just before the final bedroom, equipped with a newly updated ensuite and twin walk-in closets.