The BSPC Property Guide FEATURE PROPERTY
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Transcript of The BSPC Property Guide FEATURE PROPERTY
THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY Page 13
A PERIOD TOWNHOUSE IN THE CENTRE OFGALASHIELS WHICH IS FULL OF SURPRISES
Downstairs, the utility is well equipped forlaundry appliances and more, while up on the second floor, two of the doublebedrooms have original fireplaces (one inworking use), while one also has a largewardrobe. Outside, overlooking the river,the fully enclosed garden comprises mainlylawn with gravel and planted borders and a large patio seating/dining area.
The townhouse is only a minute’s walkfrom Galashiels’ main shopping area,making everything readily accessible onfoot, while a car park directly across theroad in Hall Street costs £25 for an annualpermit. A period townhouse of this sizeand calibre is a rare find indeed.
One of the best aspects of working in theproperty market is that you never knowwhat to expect when you see a house –and that is certainly the case with this quiteamazing three-storey townhouse in IslandStreet, in the centre of Galashiels.
Fully refurbished and restored by theprevious owner over a period of five years,it was in immaculate condition when Pauland Susan Gordon bought the property in2007. “We loved everything about thehouse,” says Paul, “from the quirky layoutand size, which includes five bedrooms- two with en suite facilities – plus anabundance of original features and aprivate garden that backs on to the GalaWater. To have all this yet still be in thecentre of town is pretty special.”
The period-style decor and original featurescreate an illusion of going back in time tothe late 1880s when the property was built.Not having had many owners appears to have been what helped preserve thehouse, especially during the 1960s and70s, when so many original propertyfeatures were ripped out for vastly inferiormodern substitutes.
The Gordons have changed the windowsto make the house fully double glazed andadded a sun porch at the back.
Off the upper hall are four double bedrooms,one with en suite shower room, another withen suite bathroom and over-bath shower,plus another shower room and singlebedroom, the latter currently used as a dressing room.
So much is special in this house it’s hard tosingle out specifics, but aside from thingslike the drawing room with its panelledwindows and working shutters, originalcornicing, and slate fireplace with open fire,the dining kitchen is fitted with timelessmaple units and includes an integratedfridge freezer, dishwasher, and freestandingrange cooker with double-oven, grill, eight-burner hob and overhead extractor.
Glendonwyn40 Island Street, Galashiels
Guide Price £285,000Details on page 23
The couple see a surprising amount ofwildlife from the garden, including birds,herons and, occasionally, otters. They havealso installed a multi-fuel stove in thesitting/TV room, which stands withina beautiful original slate fireplace.
What is exceptional is the layout and space available in this house. Entering via a solidwood door at street level (the vestibule haswood paneling to dado height, originaldado and picture rail) a staircase leadsupstairs where there is a hall, cloakroom/WC, drawing room, sitting room and largedining kitchen.
From the kitchen, another staircase – onewith wooden treads that have beenworn over the years by servants – leads back downstairs to a utility (with externalaccess to the side of the house) and oninto a spacious sun lounge with a door tothe garden. There’s also an outhouse thatoverlooks the garden and has been adaptedas a seating area and another storage areathat could be further developed if required.
Back up to the kitchen and into the mainhall, another staircase – this time a beautifulperiod staircase with ornate wrought ironbalustrade – leads up the second floorlanding - a huge space lit by a largeVelux window.