Join the well-heeled of leafy Dun Laoghaire

Apartment 6, The Pierre, Victoria Terrace,

Dun Laoghaire,

Co Dublin

€925,000

DOWNSIZERS in search of a low maintenance, turnkey apartment close to shops, transport links, church and scenic routes for their daily constitutional might well find that the first-floor apartment of 6 The Pierre on Victoria Terrace in Dun Laoghaire repays a visit.

The apartment was once part of the muchloved Dun Laoghaire landmark, the Pierre Hotel, but between 2005 and 2007, it was converted into 18 apartments — five in the original Victorian terraced building and the remainder in a newly built development to the rear.

The conversion was carried out by architect Niall Brennan of NBDA for Creston Properties and features all sorts of clever touches.

In the main communal hallway, for example, the main staircase was removed to install a lift shaft. But in No 6, part of the original staircase and a return were kept and now form a smart wet room hidden away behind one of the doors off the hall. Another door opens on to a second section of stairs leading up to a utility room with washer and dryer, and shelf space for hoover, ironing board and other domestic clutter.

Elsewhere, the fine period features have been carefully preserved with crisp cornicework in the open plan living /dining place and master bedroom while a large bay and a second window in the main space make for a bright, airy space. There are other appealing aspects — a communal roof garden with views over to Killiney Hill; an extra 92sm of storage in the basement; and a designated car parking space at ground level.

But the real selling point is the view. The large windows mean the living space is dominated by the views of Dublin Bay.

“There’s always something to see,” says vendor Madeleine Flynn, a psychologist, who has placed seats at all the best vantage points, “it’s constantly changing, it’s better than the TV”.

The East Pier, where the well-heeled of Dun Laoghaire enjoy their passeggiata, is directly opposite the property and makes for great people watching.

Madeleine bought the apartment in 2015 when she was looking to move to a smaller property from a house with a huge garden in Sandycove. “I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it,” she recalls. The Property Price Register records the sale at €875,000.

Still, she says, the apartment was ‘a little jaded’ when she bought it. So she installed a bespoke fitted kitchen by Blackrock Kitchens who designed seating at one end of the quartz-topped island to take advantage of the sea views and also installed a wine cooler and extra freezer underneath. A stained-glass seascape, designed by Madeleine, has turned the large window that looks out to the rear of the house into a piece of art.

The carpets were replaced with solid walnut floors through most of the apartment. The master bedroom was decked out with built-in wardrobes.

There is a surprisingly large en suite off the master with a Jacuzzi bath, and walk-in rain shower, and it can also be accessed off the hall. The second bedroom is also a double.

Dun Laoghaire is a busy spot, with plenty of shops, restaurants and pubs to choose from. The weekly farmers’ market in the People’s Park is a popular way to pass a Sunday morning. Glasthule is a short walk away and offers 64 Wine, Cavistons and Rasam as a lure to strollers.

Madeleine will be staying in the area, but is on the hunt for a property with a small garden that both she and her Tibetan terrier, Teddy, will enjoy.

She loves the sense of community she has found there. On Fridays, she says, no matter what time of year, she and other local dog owners meet up at Fallon & Byrne’s in the People’s Park for a glass of wine and a natter while their dogs take the opportunity to mingle.