The Lake House, 6 Claremont Road, Howth, Co Dublin, D13DP65

The Lake House is a spectacular contemporary residence, completed in 2014, by award-winning architect Max O’Flaherty of Aughey O’Flaherty architects. The circa 0.323 HA (0.8 acre) site features a lake and landscaped irrigated gardens to the South and manicured grass covered sand dunes, behind a seawall, with direct private beach access to the North. Burrow and Claremont sandy beaches are renowned for swimming, paddle boarding and kite surfing. Howth Village is 15 minutes walk away via the beach or road. There is an abundance of amenities including the historic harbour with its fish shops and excellent restaurants and pubs, Howth Yacht Club, cafes, boutiques, summer passenger ferries to Ireland's Eye and Dun Laoghaire, scenic Howth Cliff and hillside hikes, the DART station and bus routes. There are excellent schools, golf clubs and various sports clubs and facilities nearby. Dublin City Centre is 25 minutes drive away and the airport is a 20 minute drive. The unique house design provides 267sqm of accommodation which focuses on comfortable living, light filled rooms and wonderful views from every window. It is cantilevered over the lake to the East and set back from the lakeshore to provide a sunny front garden. The entry level provides a reception hallway, swimmers’ shower room, boot room, garage and plant room. The elegant oak staircase leads from the entrance hallway to the first level, featuring the Lake Room, which is cantilevered over the lake, to the South East. Its triple aspect features a wonderful view of the lake and its mature trees to the South, as well as a glimpse of the sea and Ireland’s Eye to the North. This level also has sleeping accommodation, a beautiful bathroom and a second kitchen, making it the perfect guest and family accommodation. On the second level, the open plan living room with its huge windows offers spectacular views of islands, coastline, sea and lake. Its superb kitchen includes a rear pantry area with extensive storage. The covered outdoor patio/bbq area off the living room contributes to the capacity for both family living and entertaining. On the upper level you will discover the spacious principal bedroom and a guest bedroom, each with an en suite bathroom. The views are stunning! In compliance with Fingal County Council policy for the waterfront the living areas are elevated and capture the panoramic views of Ireland's Eye, Lambay Island, Portmarnock Beach and Golf Club and, on a clear day, the Mourne Mountains. Much of the high quality of construction of the Lake House is hidden from sight: pilings were driven down eight metres from ground level to bedrock. These support a concrete foundation and an intricate steel beam framework designed by John Piggott of CORA (Casey O’Rourke Associates). The strength of this construction supports the cantilevered architectural design. Deep external walls are fully insulated, in combination with the triple glazed German windows and the heat recovery and ventilation system, they ensure warmth and freshness throughout. Approached along the handcrafted double-sided Limestone wall, and through the electronic security gate, interested parties will admire the private South facing lake and winding driveway which sets the tone for this intriguing residence. The lake itself is steeped in history and was once a Limestone Quarry. In the 1930s Commodore Fred Higginbotham created a canal and sluice gate to provide winter berths for boats from the Howth Yacht Club. The remains of the channel walls and gantry can still be seen today on the beach. Upon arrival, interested parties will also appreciate the truly magical interior together with the vendor's exquisite taste in decor and presentation which is of the highest standard throughout. The Lake House is without doubt one of the finest and most interesting properties on the East coast of Ireland and one of the very few opportunities to acquire a beach front property so close to Dublin City Centre (25 minutes) and convenient to the Airport (approximately 20 minutes drive). It embraces a wonderful lifestyle and really must be viewed to be appreciated. Ground Floor Swimmers Bathroom: 3.20m x 1.34m. Elegant natural stone tiling, fitted with large rain shower, wc, whb, heated towel rail. Comms Room Under Stairs 2.03m x 1.60m. Wifi hub and central vacuum. Boot Room: 3.30m x 1.54m. Fitted oak closets and storage area, polished concrete floor, steel door to garage. Garage 5.50m x 4.86m. With electronically controlled up and over door. Polished concrete floor. Plant Room 2.60m x 1.65m Stairs to FIRST LEVEL Landing area with picture windows overlooking the lake to the front. Guest WC: 2.20m x 0.80m. With whb & wc. Utility Room: 4.37m x 1.85m. With excellent fitted press unit, Miele washing machine and tumble dryer, worktop sink unit, picture window to rear with stunning beach views. Guest Bedroom 3: 4.37m x 3.25m. With built in wardrobes, door to Jack & Jill ensuite, picture window with stunning sea views towards Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island. American white oak floor. Ensuite (Jack & Jill) 2.35m x 2.10m. Full bathroom (Villeroy and Boch fittings) whb with bathroom cabinet, wc, large bath with shower, Travertine tiling, heated towel rail, picture window to rear with stunning beach and coastal views. Lake Room / Bedroom 4 5.50m x 4.04m. This room cantilevers over the lake with triple aspect windows and views to the rear towards Island’s Eye and Lambay Island, and views of the lake to the front. Feature wood burning stove, door to ensuite bathroom. American oak floor. Kitchen No 2 2.09m x 1.84m. With fitted press units, worktop, sink unit, built in appliances including cooker, dishwasher, fridge, extractor fan. SECOND LEVEL / LIVING AREA Landing 4.8m x 1.2m (approx). Picture window with seaviews. Living Room / Dining / Kitchen Area 10.66m x 5.5m. Wonderful open plan living area with huge triple aspect windows enjoying spectacular views to the North, South and West, taking in Ireland's Eye, Lambay Island and the Portmarnock/Malahide Coastline. The Mourne Mountains can be seen on a clear day. The roof design is pitched upwards to maximise sunlight and avail of passive solar gain. Exposed oak gluelam flitch beams on ceiling. The kitchen and pantry area is expertly designed by Porter and Jones and fitted with superb Snaidero wall and press units together with Silestone worksurfaces. Quality appliances include a Britannia 6 burner range/cooker, Liebherr pantry fridge, freezer, wine cooler, dishwasher, microwave, warming drawer. Quooker boiling water system, Grohe chilled water. Access to coffee deck with picture window overlooking the lake to the front. The large living area is fitted with a custom built in storage unit, oak and slate. Natural gas fire, TV and Sonos sound system. Access to terrace/barbeque area. Reception Hall: 4.90m x 2.30m. Overlooking picturesque lake to front. Polished concrete floor, excellent oak fitted closets. Feature oak staircase to upper floor and exposed oak gluelam flitch beams on ceiling. Door to rear garden and beach. THIRD LEVEL Oak staircase. Library / Study Area 2.20m x 1.80m. A purpose built, cleverly designed study area with picture window overlooking lake to the front, built in oak units and desk. Exposed oak gluelam flitch beams on ceiling. Sea views across landing. Large External Deck / Barbeque Area 5.50m x 3.15m. Amazing outdoor entertainment area with cleverly designed ceiling in the shape of a boat keel. Built in seating, natural gas barbeque, stunning sea views across the beach to the North, South and West capturing Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island. Landing Area 3.70m x 0.96m. Picture window with superb views of the lake to the front. American white oak floor. Bedroom 2 4.37m x 3.57m. Double windows with stunning sea views to the North, South and West incorporating Ireland’s Eye and Lambay Island, built in oak wardrobe, exposed double beams on ceiling. American white oak floor. Ensuite 2.55m x 1.69m. Excellent ensuite with bath (shower on bath), wc, whb, mixer taps, natural stone tiling. Principal Bedroom 5.50m x 4.00m. Excellent main bedroom with triple aspect windows and spectacular sea and coastal views to the North including Ireland’s Eye, (which is framed in the window) Lambay Island and the picturesque coastline. This room also cantilevers over the lake to the South East. Exposed oak gluelam flitch beams on ceiling. Custom built in oak headboard. American white oak floor. Dressing Room 2.61m x 2.07m. Superb built in wardrobes and access to ensuite. American white oak floor. Principal Ensuite 3.30m x 2.74m. Stunning ensuite with large rain shower, feature Villeroy and Boch/Toto washlet, whb, heated towel rail. Exposed oak gluelam flitch beams on ceiling. Excellently tiled in natural limestone. Gardens / Grounds Hand crafted double sided limestone wall with electronic security gate to front. Unique private lake with a healthy ecosystem, home to fish, shrimp, ducks and visiting heron. Kayak dock and raft, winding driveway with mature shrubbery and trees. Liscannor flag pathways and patio in sunny, protected front garden. Rainwater harvest tank irrigation. Large garage with electronic door, landscaped dunes to rear with patio areas and stunning coastal views across to Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island. Steps, sea wall and private secure gate to the beach and sea life.