Lishin’s a place apart

GONE for the full five star standard is Lishin — a product where the word ‘apartment’ seems too insubstantial a description.

Not quite mews though it has that feel nor are maisonette or duplex descriptions apt because of the single floor layout; it's a really special niche scheme in salubrious Sunday's Well/Shanakiel in Cork city.

Following the trend towards 'gated' living quarters, Lisin is almost in a world of its own, built in the part-quarried grounds of an old Strawberry Hill stone-built house, butting up against the bulwark of 30' high sandstone walls of the old city gaol to the east now a significant tourism attraction.

The views down from the site are spectacular, especially at evening time, full southerly, with the city valley beneath, framed by retained old cedar and pine trees.

Developer Gerry Calnan drew together a high-end development that takes in 12 apartments in all, two of which were retained by the site's vendors.

Two more extra large 1,380 sq ft units have already been sold at the top end of the site and at top €685,000/€700,000 levels.

And, now, four 1,000 sq ft beauties are up for sale with Hugh McPhillips of Marshs auctioneers, seeking €510,000 ground floor and €525,000 first floor.

Probably the best point of comparison or reference is a five-star hotel for comfort, finish and facilities, and perhaps this isn't surprising as they were pitched from the outset at the very top of the corporate letting market with anticipated monthly rents of €1,800.

However, while they will readily rent at this sort of level, there will certainly be bidding interest as well from people wanting to trade down, either now or in a few years' time, to an easily kept home down to an unstinting specification.

The quality is set from the get-go, when you see the limestone quoins on the exterior walls, spot the Spanish slate roofs and hardwood fascias, try to put a price on all the landscaping and carefully laid sandstone cobbles, admire the Swedex hardwood glazing, appreciate the parking and proximity to Cork city in such an old suburb.

Inside, the specification grows, with interior design by Simone Kelly, who also did the fit-out on Gerry Calnan's chic city wine and tapas bar the Bocqueria.

The apartments have creamy Italian marble floors, heated from underneath, seriously sleek Italian marble fireplaces with remote-controlled gas flames, Italian KKS (Kuppersbush) kitchens from Enclosure in Dublin, intercom security, extensive home cinema/sound systems, broadband connection, large bedrooms, bathrooms with Italian sanitary, wet-room showers, jacuzzi bath and more.