Location Than Lwin Road, Bahan township Price US$600 a month to rent without furniture, US$800 a month with furniture (negotiable); K450 million to buy Contact Moe Myint Thaw Tar Real Estate Agency Tel :221687, 225352 E-Mail : llw@mptmail.net.mm

HOUSEHUNTERS seeking a unique home in an exclusive neighbourhood need look no further than the Myanmar Times House of the Week.

Located on the quiet back roads of Bahan township within the confines of an iron-gated compound, this blocky house with a pale yellow and redbrick façade is surrounded by the trappings of the suburban idyll: tall and shady trees, a bed of grass with knee-high lampposts, and an open-sided gazebo.

The portico is big enough to shelter one car. From there it is only a few short steps up to the entrance, whose wooden doors swing open to reveal a living room decorated with a beautiful antique chandelier. On the right side of the room is a spiral staircase with polished handrails, perfect for holding onto during the ascent to the second storey.

Adjacent to the living room is the dining room, where the wall facing the left side of the house is made of red brick inset with three small windows. No door separates the two rooms.

Behind this is the medium-sized kitchen, where the gray tiling will practically beg new residents to add brighter lighting. Plenty of storage space is provided by built-in cupboards, while an attached room can be used for additional storage or as quarters for a housemaid.

Facing the stairs are two small bedrooms that share an adjacent bathroom. A third room, suitable for use as a study, lies closer to the stairs. It has plenty of shelving and cupboard space, plus a built-in bench beneath a set of front-facing bay windows.

At the top of the staircase is a landing with another redbrick wall, this one inset with a grid of a dozen small adjacent windows.

To the left is a door to an outside verandah, from where tenants or homeowners can survey the property upon which they dwell.

The second story also includes an alcove-like shrine room and a master bedroom with a small verandah facing the back of the house. There are also two smaller bedrooms.

Attached to the house is a garage, behind which can be found the servants’ quarters.