Full of beans on the Clyde Coast
EVERYTHING about Heatherdale in Helensburgh reeks of top drawer – except the price. The Victorian blond sandstone villa sits in one of the most admired addresses in the Clyde Coast resort, Upper Sutherland Crescent. Helensburgh Upper Station is a five-minute walk away and the fittings in the bathroom and kitchen come with the marque of luxury.
But considering this three-level property is on the market at less than £600,000 confirms the owner’s conviction that you get real value for money in this Dunbartonshire town.
Coffee entrepreneur Marco Giambastiani believes the town is like Bearsden was 20 years ago. Certainly, if Heatherdale was sitting in the Bearsden of today, the asking price would not be less than £1 million.
‘Helensburgh today is very like the Bearsden of the 1990s,’ said Mr Giambastiani, whose Italian Aroma Coffee company supplies products all over the UK.
‘In those days, it was dominated by “old money”, people who had inherited their homes from their relatives. But then trendy cafes and restaurants began popping up, which opened up the area to a whole new audience.
‘That’s what’s steadily happening in Helensburgh today. We are just 35 minutes from Glasgow city centre, less to the airport, yet the beginning of the Highlands is right on our doorstep.’
Indeed, stroll out the back door at Heatherdale and a scene right out of Brigadoon confronts you, with mature Scots pine trees, colourful shrubs and verdant lawns fighting for space in the one-acre garden.
It must be quite a sight at night, as Mr Giambastiani has ringed the elegant 1875 property in subtle flood lighting.
Inside, he has managed to retain all the nice traditional decoration that comes with period properties, while introducing 21st century touches that don’t look out of place.
So while the dining room seems perfectly at one with its intricate cornicing and picture rail, the adjoining breakfasting kitchen is comfortably bang up to date with Miele appliances and a two-oven Aga. Designed by Cameron Interiors, the kitchen’s wood-fronted units are as easy on the eye as the lime green colour scheme on the walls.
The downstairs apartments are dominated by the splendid 33ft draw- ing room, which spans from the front to the back of the house. It has a south-facing bay window, with a window seat, and further windows to the east and north.
The message here is clearly traditional, with parquet flooring, deep cornicing, a picture rail and an open fire within an ornately carved fireplace and marble hearth.
The upper floor is reached via a beautiful staircase, lit by a stainedglass window on the half-landing.
OFF the main upper landing lie three bedrooms. One of them has an adjoining sitting room, which could be used as another bedroom. The master bedroom has a bay window, a fireplace, fitted wardrobes and an en suite shower room with double shower compartment.
Again, this is where the owner has managed to blend the old with the new.
Contemporary bathroom fittings by Victor Paris could not be more at home than they are here, in a house almost 140 years old.
On the second floor, there is another bedroom with en suite bathroom.
Mr Giambastiani said: ‘Yes, we have thrown money at the property but I would like to think we have done it sympathetically.
‘We have tried to retain all the original features, while using neutral colours in the newer parts so that it remains in keeping with the house.
‘We installed electric gates to improve privacy and security and we have spent more money maintaining the gardens, which are lovely.
‘It’s a gorgeous, big family home. And, like a lot of properties in Helensburgh, it offers fabulous value for money.’
Offers over £595,000 to Andrew Perratt at Savills Glasgow office. Tel: 0141 222 5875. Email: aperratt@savills.com