Gerry Walsh, a developer, was on a quest to build an extraordinary mahogany banister spanning three floors in a Regency-style house with five bedrooms located at 3 Victoria Lane. Despite challenges from countless woodworking companies claiming the design was unachievable, Walsh convinced M & C Joinery, a Kildare-based outfit, to construct the banister.
Before taking on this venture, Walsh strategically purchased several vacant land spaces, gardens and wooden structures behind Victoria Road. He then proceeded to construct three houses and his own personal contemporary dwelling. All of these elements have culminated in the creation of a serene neighbourhood characterised by elegance and peacefulness. Now, Knight Frank seeks to auction 3 Victoria Lane for approximately €2.1 million.
This period-inspired dwelling occupies a square footage of 3,500 (326 sq. m). Although it possesses the charm of an older structure, it lacks the commonly associated disadvantages. The house has been built using precast concrete floors and robust concrete walls to ensure sound insulation between the rooms and different levels. In terms of energy efficiency, it boasts an A3 rating and is equipped with an air-to-water heat pump system, together with underfloor heating.
Every aspect of the three houses, from bin chambers to cast-iron drain pipes, has been designed meticulously, indicative of high-quality workmanship. Each home has space for two automobiles on the gravel driveway. A unique elliptical skylight located above the front door draws the eyes, complementing the gentle curve of the staircase while bathing the entrance hall with splendid sunlight.
Crema Marfil tiles can be seen throughout the hallway which also features a stylish guest lavatory and a closet. A small sittingroom on the right is adorned with wallpaper procured from Thibaut in New York, and parquet flooring salvaged from a decommissioned Limerick church.
Beyond the drawing-room lies a kitchen area outfitted with a sleek, sophisticated, second Snaidero kitchen located in the basement. The primary kitchen is generously spacious, featuring a large island, handless doors, stone countertops, and a pair of sinks. Doors from the kitchen and living area open onto a maintenance-free garden, populated with pleached pear trees. The courtyard is beautifully paved with meticulously chosen Kilkenny limestone flags.
This setup not only allows for all the washing to be kept in the basement, but it also provides the person staying in the basement bedroom with a fully equipped kitchen plus a splendid en suite. Features of this level also include a home fitness centre, a personal cinema, and a storage chamber capable of housing everything from multiple sets of sports equipment to festive adornments.
On the upper floor, you’ll find four bedrooms, two that come with en suites, along with a communal bathroom for the family. These bedrooms boast expansive arrays of well-designed wardrobes, one of which uncovers a considerable en suite fitted with a bath, in addition to a laundry drop leading down to the utility room at basement level.