Large, open spaces up on the mount

THE Belmont area of Rochestown in Cork has grown in fits and starts over the past 20 years.

The grounds around the Butler family’s home by Garyduff, the old residence Belmont House, have seen niche and medium to large-sized developments come on stream, from the older cul-de sac row of 1970s and ’80s serviced sites, called Inner Belmont, to recent 100-plus new house schemes.

Also in the area is the super-chic EyreCourt, with four very large red-brick Georgian-style homes built by Howard Holdings and now likely to be valued in the €1.5 million league, while that site’s vendor Garry Duffy built an even larger one-off home likely to be worth several million euro.

A detached house opposite Garyduff sports centre, Avondale, recently sold for €900,000 and sailing into this upper market stratosphere is no 9, James Mount - priced at €700,000-plus.

Pitched at the trading-up market by Hamilton Osborne King, it is a five-bed home of about 2,800 sq ft, crisply if relatively anonymously styled on the outside and packed with features inside.

The ethos was to go for a few large open spaces at ground level rather than lots of individual rooms. So, the kitchen/dining area is an expensive job, with long runs of granite-topped units and stainless steel splash backs. There’s a porcelain sink, island and this open cooking and dining area has a maximum measurement of 27’ by 28’.

The sitting cum family room is no slouch either, weighing in at 25’ by 19’. It’s L-shaped with a bay window and has a marble fireplace, with patio doors from the family space.

Oak floors at ground level are a particular feature, though the utility has a tiled floor and this service room gives further garden access.

The master bedroom at first-floor level has a walk-in wardrobe, mirrored wardrobes and the en suite has a corner bath and shower, while the main bathroom has both a bath and separate shower cubicle.

There are two more first-floor bedrooms, and the second floor has two bedrooms plus a shower room.

Heating is by gas, there’s double glazed PVC windows, there’s a high electrical spec and there’s exterior lighting. Also present is a large paved drive with lots of parking, and the garden landscaping is extensive, with railway sleepers and paving used as a feature.