IN THE 1930s, as Dublin Corporation faced pressure to rid the capital of its dangerous, overcrowded tenements, it embarked on the first big social housing initiative in the history of the state. The corporation’s chief housing architect Herbert Simms was drafted in to create what would become the staple architectural design for Ireland’s social housing over the next three decades — the pebble-dash, mass-concrete, two-up, two-down home.
Developments sprung up in Crumlin, in south Dublin, and Cabra, in the north of the city. The Second World War delayed schemes but when they were resumed, in the late 1940s, Simms’ designs lived on in Ballyfermot, in the west, Donnycarney, in the north, and Drimnagh, in the south, long after his death by suicide in 1948.
By the early 1970s, the government had launched a rent-to-buy scheme.In the following decades, kitchenettes and side extensions were added, two bedrooms were turned into three with wall partitions and bathrooms were placed upstairs.
Many of the postcodes where Simms’ designs are most prominent have benefited from years of maturation and, today are well-established, accessible areas. Cabra in particular is one area to watch over the next couple of years as the arrival of the Luas is set to drive up prices.
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NO 112 Collins Avenue East
Donnycarney, €335,000
Interest has been strong for this terraced house, which epitomises what can be done to Simms’ designs with a bit of architectural supervision. The agent tells us that offers stand at €380,000, so you’ll have to be quick if you want to buy.
The house was recently extended, refurbished and insulated to achieve a B3 building energy rating, which is unusual. Houses of this period often achieve G ratings.
An open-plan kitchen/living area, spanning a generous 270 sq ft, lies to the rear with patio doors opening onto a large back garden.
The kitchen units are a contemporary grey and integrated appliances are included. There is a utility room off the kitchen, as well as a bathroom, which links to a small living room at the front of the house. Here, the fireplace has been removed to create a more modern space.
Upstairs there are three bedrooms; the master has an en-suite shower room.
gallagherquigley.ie
No 19 Clancarthy Road
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Donnycarney, €295,000
Starchitect Dermot Bannon got his hands on this two- bedroom terraced home in south Dublin in the second series of RTE’s Room to Improve. Working with a €30,000 budget, he extended the dark ex-council home, helping to bring it into the 21st century.
Among the alterations was a kitchen extension and attic conversion, which has been used as a third bedroom.
The house has a total floor area of 926 sq ft. Accommodation on the ground floor is open plan, with the living room leading to a bright and extended kitchen that has cream high-gloss units from in-house.ie. On the first floor there are two double bedrooms and a bathroom.
Just off the Malahide Road, Clancarthy Road is accessible to both Dublin’s city centre and the M50, as well a variety of services. It is bordered by the suburbs of Beaumont, Artane, Killester and Marino.
sherryfitz.ie
No 358 Cashel Road
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Crumlin, €250,000
Some of Herbert Simms’ houses had tiny halls leading to the two ground-floor rooms, while others were “parlour” homes, with longer halls and lavatories, which were later placed upstairs.
No 358 Cashel Road falls into the second category, though its parlour has been opened up to create a larger living area. The kitchen has been extended and has cherrywood units and a striking blue splashback. There is a study just beyond the kitchen, with double doors leading to a 36ft-long garden that is mostly patio with a raised grassy area.
The two bedrooms aren’t partitioned so are a good size for houses of this style.
While this end-terrace house has been extended, it is still just 911 sq ft. It does have wide side access that could lend itself to a further extension. Houses in the Crumlin area have been enlarged by modern architectural extensions — so you could get creative here.
dng.ie