Special finishing touches give riverside apartments the edge

THEY waited for the finishing touches before they began the sales push on Camden Wharf - and the finish, even on the exterior, is what will impress the most.

The development of 58 apartments, with generous roof gardens, is high-profile in Cork city centre. It is just 100 yards upriver of St Patrick's Bridge, across the Lee, via the Christy Ring bridge, from the Cork Opera House, and standing as a gateway to the rejuvenated Watercourse Road/Blackpool corridor.

Crisp, hard-edged urban brick is used in the exterior with high-quality limestone, as well as stainless steel detailing, to ensure Camden Wharf will age with grace in coming years.

The view of the city from the roof is engrossing, and each apartment occupier will have access to the roof gardens, with the uppermost garden likely to be kept for the private use of the top-floor occupants.

The design is by JE Keating Architects, who picked up elements of their East Douglas Village project style for the exterior of this V-shaped building with central courtyard, giving a dual aspect to each unit.

The developer is Jack Hornibrook, who has owned the site for a number of years and who was granted planning permission, after protracted discussions on the demolition of 19th century warehouses on the quayside.

The development will have a ground-floor restaurant (three parties are currently in discussion), plus shop units, and there is also interest in putting medical suites at ground level.

Fourteen of the 26 apartments, which were officially launched last Thursday with a rooftop party, are booked, with investors taking most of the first units offered.

However, the fact that the apartments are ready to move into will bring on the owner-occupier segment, says Nicola Murray of Frank V Murphy and Co auctioneers, acting jointly with Midleton-based estate agent Adrianna Hegarty.

Prices range from €295,000 to €315,000 for the current launch, for relatively compact two-bedroomed units, averaging 603 sq ft.

Prices for the six units to the front, with the best southerly river views, have yet to be finalised but they are likely to be over €500,000 each.

Prices for car parking spaces are €45,000 each.

Apartments have lift access, good security, gas central heating and very effective double glazing with sound insulation.