New kids on the block

BRICKFIELDS mightn’t sound like the most imaginative of names for a residential development, particularly when brick isn’t even used in the design.

But the brick reference harks back to a piece of local history in the case of an apartment development of extra-large units about to come out of the stocks at Skehard Road in Cork city.

Mud from the tidal Douglas estuary nearby (now a bird sanctuary) was removed and dried into bricks for building with in the field by this two acre site by the roundabout at the top of Well Road and Skehard Road, says estate agent Tim Sullivan.

Along with Darragh Taaffe of joint agents Keane Mahony Smith, he is launching a scheme of 38 apartments for developers the Douglas Partnership.

Builder is Kevin O’Shea of Agrasure Ltd.

The units include ground floor one-bed apartments of 580 to 650 sq ft each, and overhead are duplex homes with 1,200 and 1,300 sq ft of space each.

Prices are from €190,000 for the one-beds, and from €290,000 for the large two-beds.

Design is by John Wiggins Bertie Pope and Associates architects and the apartments are to be built in five blocks of six to 10 units each.

Features include a part-rendered and part-wood cladding on the exterior, curved roof sections, gas central heating, balconies and extensive glazed areas.

The large duplex units have scope for either two or three bedrooms: the architect’s plans are for a very large kitchen/dining area in the lower duplex level, plus bedroom and bathroom, and overhead is another living/lounge area with internal balcony in a double-height section, plus bedroom and ensuite.

Purchasers could have the option of using the upper living room as a further bedroom, suggests Mr Sullivan.

“There’s been very little new development in this area of the city between Douglas and Blackrock and we expect a very high level of interest.

Also, there’s very few options of apartments of this size available of around two acres was sold last year by Aidan Dunlea of Blue Dragon Transport, who had used it as a depot.

It is understood that the developers paid over €2.5 million for the site, which will see 38 apartments built for the sale market and four townhouses will complete the scheme.

Construction begins this month, and joint agents are Keane Mahony Smith and Timothy Sullivan Associates.

The units themselves don’t have estuary views, but part of the site’s green area does, overlooking Mahon Golf Club and Rochestown.

Another apartment scheme at the Douglas end of the Well Road, Douglas Wells, has just eight of 32 units left to sell at prices from €360,000 to € 400,000.