Leafy Douglas gem offers grown-up living at €500,000

THIS discreet crescent at Douglas Close is an advertisement for grown-up living and the houses are perfect professional properties.

Dead centre in the village of Douglas, this development of three-storey townhouses is leafy, quiet but very convenient.

Each house has three storeys and the three blocks wrap around a courtyard with parking for each unit. Mature landscaping is an attractive feature, as is the gated entrance off Tramway Terrace.

Number 8 is now up for sale and offers almost 1,500 square feet of space in a superb package that includes high ceilings, split level accommodation and an utterly private rear garden.

Even with full vacant possession, the house is still impressive and the walls and windows show the touch of an interior designer.

Colours may be a bit strong for today's more muted tastes, but there's nothing here a paintbrush won't improve.

Designed by Roddy Hogan, these houses have signature high ceilings and integrated living spaces with dropped levels to indicate different areas. On the ground floor, the kitchen looks out over the communal courtyard with solid floored dining space behind.

A door to one side provides a comprehensive galley utility room with direct access to the rear, while on the opposite side, a living space is flooded with light from the high French windows.

Outside there's a small patio tucked inside two wings of the house, making it sheltered and very private and the rest of the garden is in shrubs and gravel. High trees at the back create dappled shade in this south-facing location.

Just off the main hallway is a guest bathroom and up one level is the full-length drawing room with a big bay window overlooking the front of the close. Behind is the master bedroom, with full bathroom and a range of built-ins in pine (the paintbrush might come in handy here, too).

Then, on the top floor, there are two more bedrooms and a shower room.

Spick and span and with everything one could need on the doorstep, 8 Douglas Close is a little gem and clichés aside, houses rarely come up for sale here.

The guide price is €500,000 through Malcolm Tyrrell of Cohalan Downing and Associates.