Refurbishment revives Victorian jewel in Cobh

The large upstanding Victorian semi-detached house, on Cobh’s Lower Road, had slid into slow disuse before being rescued and rehabilitated.

Sensitively extended in a matching Victorian architectural style with slate roof, and vastly up-graded internally, it now has eight luxury apartments within, and they can be bought with valuable capital allowances under S 63 of the Finance Act to assist the conservation of protected structures.

Developers are engineer Gillen Joyce and Pat Crowley, who say the support of neighbours and the local planner were instrumental in saving the building. They’ve been on site since late 2004, and finishing touches were made this week as the one-off high specification apartments hit the market.

Selling agent for the individual apartments is Darragh Taaffe of Keane Mahony Smith, who says they will suit investors keen for a quality product, as well as owner-occupier traders-down and couples.

Sizes range from over 600 sq ft to 1,030 sq ft, and there are one and two-bed options available, over three floors. Prices start at €250,000, others are €255,000, and €265,000, the largest, a penthouse of over 1,000 sq ft, is open to offers around €315,000.

Most come with original architectural features, high 12’ ceilings and modern add-ons such as oak flooring and acoustic insulation, intercom, off-street parking and landscaped rear garden with steps to a second pedestrian access point, alarm, oak kitchens with built-in appliances, granite worktops, power showers, and specially imported marbles and tiles. Electrical specification is high, with satellite TV, computer points, and recessed lighting.

Views from the south-facing property are across the water at Cobh past the rail line, to the Naval Base at Haulbowline, with passing marine traffic making for an ever-changing backdrop.