Inner brightness in a great address

Tommy Barker reports on a fully-finished upgrade to a house on a choice, deep acre site

THE Grantstown Road is one of Waterford city’s best addresses, says auctioneer Margaret Fogarty — it’s the sort of place where detached houses have sites large enough for tennis courts and swimming pools.

And, sort of to prove the point, while the next-door neighbours here have a tennis court, The Willows’ own recent makeover and extension has seen a very large garden room sited just where its own former swimming pool sat.

A fully-finished upgrade, this 5,000 sq ft, five-bed home is new to market with REMAX’s Margaret Fogarty, guided at just under the €1m mark, and she says “it is ready to walk into and hang up your coat”.

Now massively added to, the bright new rear garden section can almost be separated out if new owners want. “It could be a fantastic kitchen/living/dining space, and there is an en suite double bedroom in this section also. This section of the house has endless possibilities,” enthuses the agent.

The Willows is on a choice, deep acre site near the city centre and evolved out of an earlier 1970s bungalow, now upgraded with a part first floor added, all done with high-spec glazing and insulation, five zoned heating levels fired by gas, etc.

There are two reception rooms, and several spaces with high cathedral ceilings, there’s a smart kitchen/dining room, three of the five bedrooms are en suite, and there’s also a main bathroom, shower room and utility, plus guest WC.

The garden room wing continues the extensive plumbing list, with WC, jacuzzi and wet room, as well as gym, sauna and kitchenette. The cheery room’s main space includes a Victorian-style roof window or light for inner brightness.

The decor is done to a neutral palette, so lots of creams and porcelain tiled floors, walnut timbers, quality bathrooms, and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Location: Grantstown, Waterford

Price: €995,000

Size: 464 sq m (5,000 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 5

BER rating: Pending

Best feature: Glorious new garden room

VERDICT: You’ll never be caught for space, and the garden room is the icing on top, or out the back.