The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
A feast in the heart of the Ferry
The former showhome in a converted arts and crafts mansion house on one of Broughty Ferry’s finest streets enjoys commanding views over the River Tay. It blends traditional features with high quality modern conveniences
We were so looking forward to spending our retirement here
Not unlike many blocks of flats in the Dundee area, 3 Aystree House has a communal entrance.
It isn’t a fire door opening on to a peeling-painted “closie”, however.
An original, ornate hardwood door opens into a magnificent grand hallway which contains what’s thought to be the finest collection of Liberty of London furniture in Scotland.
Up the sweeping staircase lies the front door to Gill and Charles Green’s apartment.
Aystree House is an A listed mansion on Victoria Road in Broughty Ferry designed by Charles Soutar for his fellow architect Charles Ower in 1903.
Gill reveals the simple piece of wordplay on one of Dundee’s most well known avenues forms the back story to the house’s title.
“The word ‘Aystree’ is just ‘Tay Street’ with the first and last ‘T’ taken out,” she explains.
After lying derelict for a number of years the mansion was converted into apartments five years ago, with the stables being transformed into a further house and the gatehouse lodge expanded with an extension that incorporates a living roof.
Gill, 61, and Charles, 63, were the first people to buy the showhome apartment when it went on the market.
“The building itself is fantastic and what also sold it for us is the standard of the conversion – the kitchen and bathrooms are of extremely high quality,” Charles adds.
The south-facing lounge has French doors on to a balcony that offers outstanding views over Broughty Ferry and the Tay to Tentsmuir.
“It’s a fantastic place to sit and enjoy a coffee in the morning or a glass of wine in the evening,” Gill smiles.
The dining kitchen also faces south and enjoys similar views from its bank of windows.
There’s a utility room and cloakroom on the first floor and upstairs are three double bedrooms, two of which are front-facing to enjoy the river outlook.
The master benefits from an en-suite and dressing room.
There’s a large communal garden outside that’s looked after by the residents’ association for a monthly fee.
Each flat has parking for several vehicles in the large driveway.
Charles was a local authority director and Gill’s career was in social work.
The couple, who met at Dundee University in the 1970s, have used the flat as a weekend and holiday retreat for the past few years.
They are both now retired and had intended their Aystree House apartment to be their full-time home. “We love being here,” Charles says. “It’s easy to walk down to the beach or into Broughty Ferry for dinner or a beer. Yet at the same time, the property is on a quiet road and is very private.”
As so often happens, however, they found events overtook their plans.
“Our children have ended up living quite near us in Manchester, where our main home is,” Charles explains.
“We were so looking forward to spending our retirement here,” Gill adds. “But it didn’t make sense to move so far away from our children.”