Suburban duplex that’s so good the owner gave it its own name

WHAT’S this, a house name on a duplex? The consensus is that apartments and duplexes have numbers, not names, but the occupant of Sedgemoor had different ideas.

She brought the name Sedgemoor with her from her previous home, to apartment number 17 in the Skehanore scheme on Cork’s south Douglas Road, five or six years ago.

Adding a name was only the most superficial alteration she made: she persuaded the development to customise the 1,070 sq ft home to her own taste and needs.

Thus, she discarded the third ‘box’ bedroom from the plans, and, instead, made space for two larger sized bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom.

She also put windows into internal walls to allow in light and brighten areas such as the kitchen.

Externally, number 17 was the apartment house with its own individual staircase: all the other duplexes in the 30-unit development have shared staircases to circumnavigate the ground level apartments.

Estate agent, Johnny O’Flynn, of Colliers Jackson Stops is selling Sedgemoor/number 17 for €315,000. The scheme is brick-finished and with electronic gate access, off the South Douglas Road.

Other changes include an open-plan layout from the entrance - the hall confines have been removed.

Accommodation includes a dining area, a bay window and an internal ‘window’ to the kitchen.

Also, a balcony to the rear (west-facing for evening sun, overlooking a green area), a living room, guest WC, and, overhead, two en-suite bedrooms and a Stira access to a floored attic.

Likely buyers will include couples, singles, and those trading down who are still able to face a stepped climb to their front door.