THE BSPC PROPERTY GUIDE / FEATURE PROPERTY
Page 13
A PERIOD TOWNHOUSE IN THE CENTRE OF GALASHIELS WHICH IS FULL OF SURPRISES
One of the best aspects of working in the property market is that you never know what to expect when you see a house – and that is certainly the case with this quite amazing three-storey townhouse in Island Street, in the centre of Galashiels.
The couple see a surprising amount of wildlife from the garden, including birds, herons and, occasionally, otters. They have also installed a multi-fuel stove in the sitting/TV room, which stands within a beautiful original slate fireplace.
Off the upper hall are four double bedrooms, one with en suite shower room, another with en suite bathroom and over-bath shower, plus another shower room and single bedroom, the latter currently used as a dressing room.
Fully refurbished and restored by the previous owner over a period of five years, it was in immaculate condition when Paul and Susan Gordon bought the property in 2007. “We loved everything about the house,” says Paul, “from the quirky layout and size, which includes five bedrooms - two with en suite facilities – plus an abundance of original features and a private garden that backs on to the Gala Water. To have all this yet still be in the centre of town is pretty special.”
What is exceptional is the layout and space available in this house. Entering via a solid wood door at street level (the vestibule has wood paneling to dado height, original dado and picture rail) a staircase leads upstairs where there is a hall, cloakroom / WC, drawing room, sitting room and large dining kitchen.
So much is special in this house it’s hard to single out specifics, but aside from things like the drawing room with its panelled windows and working shutters, original cornicing, and slate fireplace with open fire, the dining kitchen is fitted with timeless maple units and includes an integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher, and freestanding range cooker with double-oven, grill, eight -burner hob and overhead extractor.
The period-style decor and original features create an illusion of going back in time to the late 1880s when the property was built. Not having had many owners appears to have been what helped preserve the house, especially during the 1960s and 70s, when so many original property features were ripped out for vastly inferior modern substitutes. The Gordons have changed the windows to make the house fully double glazed and added a sun porch at the back.
From the kitchen, another staircase – one with wooden treads that have been worn over the years by servants – leads back downstairs to a utility (with external access to the side of the house) and on into a spacious sun lounge with a door to the garden. There’s also an outhouse that overlooks the garden and has been adapted as a seating area and another storage area that could be further developed if required. Back up to the kitchen and into the main hall, another staircase – this time a beautiful period staircase with ornate wrought iron balustrade – leads up the second floor landing - a huge space lit by a large Velux window.
Glendonwyn 40 Island Street, Galashiels
Downstairs, the utility is well equipped for laundry appliances and more, while up on the second floor, two of the double bedrooms have original fireplaces (one in working use), while one also has a large wardrobe. Outside, overlooking the river, the fully enclosed garden comprises mainly lawn with gravel and planted borders and a large patio seating/dining area. The townhouse is only a minute’s walk from Galashiels’ main shopping area, making everything readily accessible on foot, while a car park directly across the road in Hall Street costs £25 for an annual permit. A period townhouse of this size and calibre is a rare find indeed.
Guide Price £285,000 Details on page 23