A reason to have your head in the clouds

A LAD pad is probably the most accurate description for this two-bedroomed duplex apartment at 21, South Channel Court in Cork city.

But then again, it could easily suit a ladette, or even a woman of a certain age who wants to dispense with gardening in favour of clubbing.

After all, if you're going to live in the city, you might as well get the benefits. Like being within walking distance of everything and having the rooftop views over the southside, all the way to Mount Vernon.

This apartment has style and, dare we say it, panache. After all, it does come with a white baby grand and the sleek Ligne Roset furniture is on offer as an optional extra. Also, there's a secluded balcony (with seating) overlooking South Terrace, one of the city's oldest boulevards and one with fine Georgian terraces.

South Channel Court is a pastiche version of these old buildings and what it lacks in veracity, it makes up for in parking and PVC. It also comes with internet access and has gas-fired heating.

For those looking for a bit of cachet, the apartment is also (whisper) right next door to one owned by a Bandon-born comedian with his own show on Channel Four.

Ideal for the man about town, every room is remote-wired for sound, including the bathroom. Minimalist would describe this apartment, and while it has some colour (check out the turquoise stairway) there isn't a chance of chintz anywhere.

The main bedroom is just off the entrance hallway and is all in white, with mirrored wardrobes and some very smart lighting. Next door is another double bedroom and a generous main bathroom. There's also a capacious utility at the opposite side of the square entrance hall.

All doors are high with sand-blasted glass insets and an enclosed staircase rises to the upper floor. Overhead, a roof light allows light downwards and another does the same on the kitchen side of the room, so that along with floor to ceiling windows, the whole south-facing top floor area is really bright.

A Portland sandstone fireplace is a feature of one end of the room and at the other is the baby grand. Large windows run along the south-facing side and a dramatically purple chaise longue sits under the left hand window: to the right are the French doors to the balcony. The main seating area is grouped behind the fireplace and behind this is the beech-fitted kitchen

Private and secure, 21 South Channel Court has a designated parking place (worth up to €30,000 on the open market), comes with 1,200 sq ft of space and a guide price of €345,000 through Paul Reid of Sherry FitzGerald.