KEYS TO KNOW
Opting for one part of a townhouse still makes for a sizeable property, finds Kirsty Mcluckie
If you have ever watched a period drama you’ll know that there are advantages of being one of the upstairs people rather than being stuck in the lower parts of the house.
The penthouse in a block of flats has the most kudos after all, and when a larger property is split, while the lower half might get the gardens, apartments in the upper part of the building get the views.
A double-upper is a sought-after home, not least because you tend to get the best living accommodation.
When traditional townhouses are split, while the lower half may be ground and basement and offer scope for opening up dark kitchen spaces to the garden, the upper half will usually get the best of the formal public rooms.
First-floor drawing rooms make for a fantastic centrepiece of a home even if you don’t own the whole building.
David Alves of agents Sturrock, Armstrong & Thomson says: “Double uppers benefit from enhanced natural light, and quite often have attractive distant views.”
He says that there are advantages over other city flats too. “Many have fewer potential noise problems than ordinary tenement flats and, because they are converted from period terraced properties, they almost invariably benefit from beautiful traditional proportions and fine historic features such as original woodwork, plasterwork, fireplaces and features like working shutters.”
He says they are popular with buyers who don’t require a whole townhouse but still want access to large rooms. “A doubleupper will give you very generous space standards akin to many terraced houses in the same location but they are cheaper and are most often to be found in exclusive areas.
“In Edinburgh that is the New Town and West End, as well as Murrayfield, Trinity, Newington and Morningside and outof-town locations like Inveresk, North Berwick, Gullane and Eskbank.”
Alves is currently marketing a doubleupper in Inveresk which has a formal firstfloor sitting room with a grand marble fireplace and views to the Pentland Hills, Arthur’s Seat and Blackford Hill.
The four-bedroomed apartment also has a panelled dining room. Two of the four bedrooms are upstairs with a utility room and spectacular bathroom with clawfooted bath.
St Andrews house prices mean that full townhouses are usually valued at over £1 million, but a duplex conversion in Howard Place offers plenty of space for much less. The Georgian double-upper is packed with original features and has traditional proportions and floorto-ceiling windows.
Harry Maitland of Savills, who is marketing the property says: “You would be hard pressed to find a more elegant and beautifully presented property in St Andrews than this one. With such a central location and its licence as a house in multiple occupation (HMO), 3a Howard Place is a very attractive prospect: both for its high earning rental potential, or indeed simply as an enviably stylish permanent home.”
Hollybank in Aberdour has another upper advantage. The cottage has its own first-floor entrance at the back of the house leading to a beautiful split-level private garden. Where is it: 3a Howard Place, St Andrews. What is it: An outstanding Georgian duplex in the heart of thetown, with a bespoke kitchen, impressive open-plan drawing room and dining room, four bedrooms, three of which have ensuites, a study, utility room and main bathroom, all in immaculate condition. Good points: The first-floor public rooms have elegant proportions and are flooded with natural light with views across the city. It has beautiful period features throughout and is in walking distance of the Old Course. Bad points: With an HMO licence, if you are a home buyer you would be competing with investors in this student hot spot. Price: Offers over £725,000. Contact: Savills on 0131 247 3700.