Cork city and suburban housing development was never really known for diversity and the broadest range of house types: it’s been pretty much repetitive designs and semi-ds aplenty, for decades, to be honest.

APARTMENT living doesn’t have to be all insides and cooped-up interior living, clung to a chicken-wing balcony or a rail across a French door for a breath of fresh air.

NOW Glenmont might have aner, barracky look at this angle, but these apartments are very much sought after, says Michael O’Donovan of Sherry FitzGerald.

AND they’re off. The first new homes launch of 2005 around Cork city is a batch of just under 100 homes at Ashmount Court, Silversprings.