Marble porch gives home a dream touch

BUILT only four years, the large family home 18 Abbotswood Downs in Cork is being sold by its US business executive owner, and leaves little for any new occupants to do other than pay up and move in.

The 3,500 sq ft home is in an up-hill location, in an up-market scheme of homes in one of Cork's acknowledged upper-market locations, off the Rochestown Road and Monastery Road. And, to acquire it you'll have to pay out up to or over the €755,000-plus asking price quoted by Pierce Cuthbert of auctioneers Property Choice.

It has a top-level specification, though, with considerable investment in extras such as €20,000 worth of paving around the house.

No 18 comes with an attic level conversion to play room/den use, done properly, with 8' 6" ceilings in its centre, and four veluxes and two other windows. Access is via a spiral staircase and steel banistered stairwell. This top floor hide-away has a maximum measurement of 38' by 25', and other possible uses include bedrooms, home office, au pair's quarters or gym.

Way back down at ground level, accommodation includes hall with a study, dining room, kitchen and large family room all ranged off it. The family room runs the depth of the house, at 31' by 17', has windows on three sides and has double doors to the back garden as well as a bay window to the side.

There's a curved sun room off the kitchen, with solid roof, and the kitchen has units in maple.

Quality features and finishes include a marble floor in the porch, and hardwood oak floors in the family room, dining room and study. The house has a zoned gas central heating system and low-maintenance exterior.