Abbottswood sites available for expensive eyes

SITES or houses? The alternatives are on offer in Abbottswood in Cork’s Rochestown suburb, where two very compact house sites are being chased towards the €300,000 mark apiece with Timothy Sullivan & Associates auctioneers.

At present there’s a top bid on both serviced sites together, at €570,000, and separately one is valued at €300,000, and a smaller triangular one with a harbour view is making €270,000.

That site hunger compares with the €340,000 sought by Keane Mahony Smith for a ready-built, ready to move into three-bed 1,260 sq ft semi d in Abbottswood (see below.)

But, the surprise isn’t just the sums being bid, it is the fact the sites are so absolutely small compared to the footprints occupied by other detached houses here in Abbottswood.

Tim Sullivan auctioneer has been handling inquiries, and reckons over 20 builders, developers and private individuals have viewed, with bids from at least six of them.

Approximate site sizes are about 7,000 sq ft each, with planning on each for 1,800 sq ft two-storey four-bed homes. Finished houses of this size could be expected to sell for around €700,000, given the €800,000 to €900,000 paid for the large 3,000 sq ft five beds in 2004. Vendors are the Butler family, who sold the original Abbottswood site off the Monastery Road in Rochestown.

Meanwhile, John Barry of KMS is seeking €340,000 for 16, Abbottswood Avenue, a three-bed semi in good overall condition.

Although recently rented out, it is likely to appeal to owner-occupiers, says the agent, who has it under offer at €330,000.

Features of the Fleming Construction built house include high ceilings, large hall with double doors to living room, double doors to kitchen/dining, separate utility and guest loo, and three overhead good-sized bedrooms, one with en suite, plus main bathroom.