Key details
- 2 Reception Rooms
- 4 Bedrooms
- 2 Bathrooms
- Council Tax Band: E
- Energy Efficiency: E (41)
Overview
Once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a four / five bedroom house of considerable character, situated in the historic Lodberries area of Lerwick just along the road from ‘Shetland’ TV detective Jimmy Perez's house, a highly sought-after, central location a short stroll from the small boat harbour and shopping, cafés etc. on Commercial Street. Situated on the shore side of the street the house enjoys fabulous unobstructed views westwards across to the island of Bressay, providing a great place to view shipping arriving and departing the harbour, and the abundant wildlife, including seabirds, otters and the occasional orca.
Arranged over two floors above a substantial basement, the accommodation comprises a 33’ living / dining room, modern breakfasting kitchen and shower room on the ground floor, plus four bedrooms, one en-suite, and a family room upstairs. Central heating is provided by an oil-fired boiler supplemented by an open fire in the living room, and electric underfloor heating to the en-suite. Externally there are courtyard areas to either side.
Properties like this very rarely come on the market - early viewing essential.
General Information
‘The Sea Door’ is a historic, Grade ‘B’ listed, stone-built property situated in the historic Lodberries area (a lodberry is a trading booth) in the Lerwick Conservation Area. The house, understood to date from the 18th century with a later alteration, is situated on the site of Mcbeath’s Lodberrie. Andrew Mcbeath having various business interests in the town in the mid-1800's. Smuggling took place in the vicinity of 'The Sea Door', a tunnel extending from by the house and under Commercial Street and Ross Court opposite.
The house was extensively renovated by a previous owner including a new tiled roof, and it benefits from radiator central heating supplied by an oil-fired boiler housed in the basement, the heating being supplemented by a working open fire in the living / dining room and underfloor heating to the en-suite shower room. The current owners have re-plumbed the house and have re-fitted the kitchen and shower rooms, and also carried out extensive joinery work including the paneling to the windows. The fire alarm system has recently been upgraded to comply with the new fire safety legislation, with linked smoke, heat and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout.
The sale will include all carpets and other fixed floor coverings, curtains & blinds, and light fittings. The freezer in the basement and some of the furniture may be available by separate negotiation.
Accommodation
Entry is by a door to Commercial Street which opens to a lobby lit by a large glazed panel to one side, an inner door then opening to a carpeted hall with paneled doors to all the downstairs rooms plus a handy cupboard which provides space for coats etc., and a further door providing access to the basement. On the left the stair with original handrail and lit by a window to the half-landing and a roof light over, leads to the first floor.
Ahead is the living / dining room, a grand, well-proportioned room with two windows to either side plus a further window to the west-facing gable which looks directly out to the Sound and across to Bressay, all the windows having paneled ingoes. A fireplace with working open fire provides a cosy heat source as an alternative to the period central heating radiators, a fitted unit to the left providing shelf space for books etc. with storage space below. Artificial lighting is provided by a number of wall-mounted picture lights plus a 'rise & fall' fitting over the dining table.
Next to the living room is the cloak cupboard and then the modern breakfasting kitchen which benefits from a dual aspect with windows to the front and rear, again with paneled ingoes, the rear window looking out across to Bressay. The kitchen features stylish modern Nolte fitted units in a burgundy and contrasting black finish with granite worktops, the units incorporating a range of built-in appliance including two built-in ovens, a five ring induction hob with stainless steel splash back and cooker hood over, plus a concealed larder fridge, dishwasher and washing machine. Other features include an inset square sink bowl with mixer tap hose attachment, a corner carousel, and a handy pull-out larder unit. A matching fitted breakfast bar provides a dining area and the built-in cupboard below the front window houses the meters etc. Heating is provided by a contemporary style chrome finished wall-mounted radiator and the floor is tiled.
Next to the kitchen is a shower room with white WC and contemporary style wash hand basin mounted on a mosaic tiled window shelf, plus a tiled shower enclosure with Matki shower including a 'rainfall' shower head, and glazed screen. Radiator / heated towel rail supplied by the central heating system and tiled floor.
Finally, the door behind the stairs provides access to the substantial basement area which has a floor area of approximately 82m² or thereby and has windows to three sides and doors to courtyard area to either side of the house, the area to the north side of the house being accessible via a gate from the street. The oil-fired boiler which supplies radiators throughout the house including two in the basement, is situated here as is the 250l 'Megaflo' hot water tank.
Back in the hall, the carpeted stair leads up to a large, carpeted landing with doors to the four bedrooms, all carpeted, and the second living room, also carpeted, which is currently used as a family / TV room.
On the right is a double bedroom with Velux window to the street and a built-in shelved cupboard with hanging space below. Next is the family / TV room which could provide another double bedroom, this room having Velux windows to the front and rear plus a further window to the side gable.
Moving on down the landing is bedroom three, a double room, its side window enjoying a lovely view across to Victoria Pier. This room has a modern, very contemporary en-suite lit by a Velux window with upholstered window seat above some built-in storage. The walls are finished with large limestone tiles including the huge, walk-in Matki shower which again has a 'rainfall' shower head and glazed screen, built-in shelving providing space for toiletries etc. There is also a wall-hung WC and wash hand basin with fitted drawer space below, a ladder style heated towel rail and tiled floor with electric under-floor heating. A large wall mirror enhances the spacious feel.
At the end of the hall are a single bedroom and the spacious main double bedroom, both with Velux windows, the main bedroom having an additional window to the gable wall looking out towards Bressay.
Rooms Sizes (All approximate)
On the Ground Floor:-
Living / Dining Room
10.05m x 4.6m (33’ x 15’)
Breakfasting Kitchen
4.55m x 2.9m (14’10” x 9’6”)
Shower Room
2m x 1.85m (6’6” x 6’1”)
On the First Floor:-
Bedroom 1
3.1m x 2.9m (floor area) (10’3” x 9’6”)
Family / TV Room / Bedroom 5
4.65m x 3.05m (floor area) (15’2” x 10’)
Bedroom 3
3m x 2.85m (floor area) (9’9” x 9’5”)
Ensuite Shower Room
2.6m x 1.65m (floor area) (8’7” x 5’6”)
Bedroom 4
3m x 2.65m (floor area) (9’10” x 8’8”)
Main Bedroom 5
4.75m x 3.35 (floor area) (15’6” x 11’)
Basement
8.2m x 4.5m + 11.3m x 4.6m (27’ x 14’8” + 37’ x 15’)
Council Tax
Understood to currently be Band E. Prospective purchasers should however contact Shetland Islands Council directly for confirmation. Council Tax Bands may be reassessed by the Joint Valuation Board when a property is sold. Details of Council Tax rates can be found on Shetland Island Council’s website at:
https://www.shetland.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-charges-bands
Property location
'The Sea Door' is situated in the southern section of Commercial Street (a one-way street) which runs eastwards from the Esplanade at the bottom of Church Road towards Twageos Road. The house is next to the boating club, being the second house on the left-hand side of the road after the Queens Hotel and Bain’s Beach, a popular location for wild water swimming. The house is just a couple of doors down from fictional 'Shetland' TV detective Jimmy Perez's house at 'Da Lodberrie'
Important Information for Prospective Purchasers
This schedule is intended only to help you decide whether to view the property. We always recommend you view the property personally.
The information is believed to be correct, but it is not warranted and is not to form part of any contract of sale. All dates, distances, areas and room sizes noted are approximate and for use as a general guide only. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves as to the working condition or otherwise of any equipment such as central heating or kitchen appliances.
This schedule should not be taken as a comment on the condition of the property. This is a matter for your surveyor and we recommend that once you have found a property you are interested in, you obtain a survey report. We can provide details of surveyors if required.
Interested parties are advised to note their interest through their solicitor as soon as possible so that they can be informed if a closing date is fixed. Noting interest does not place any obligation on the seller to set a closing date or to give any noted interests the opportunity to offer. Whilst every effort will be made to advise noted interests of any closing date set, this cannot be guaranteed.
No responsibility will be accepted for expenses incurred by parties who have noted interest but do not get an opportunity to offer, or for any expenses incurred traveling to properties which have been sold or withdrawn.
Many thanks for dealing with our sale so efficiently.
Please telephone the sellers direct on 07740 631 763 or 07736 516 933 or contact our reception.