Two tempting chances to get your own slice of Marble cake

HOUSES in Cork’s Marble Hall Park used to only rarely crop up for sale.

Now, as the park ages gracefully, a few are available, and several have completed all of the makeover work needed on the early 1900s houses.

One of the options at this super-convenient address, just at the start of the Douglas and Ballinlough Roads, is Auburn House, a three/four-bedroom detached house with hardly a stone or a block left unturned.

It has been done with a bit of polish, or that should be ‘Polish,’ as not only was the work crew from Poland, much of the materials s used in the renovations works were sourced there too.

It has pretty much had a full makeover, with structural work addressed and dry lining done, along with new windows, floors, new kitchen, bathrooms and more.

Hugh McPhillips of Marshs is seeking €670,000 for Auburn House, which contrasts with the €600,000 sought by John Barry of Keane Mahony Smith for 47 Marble Hall Park, a 1,300 sq ft detached house with an optional use of a rear ground floor room as a fourth bedroom.

There’s not a lot left to do at Auburn but move in although a new owner may want to tweak the colours a bit inside and out, and finish off the back garden.

There’s a slight air of the unfamiliar about the place, with things such as switches, the shower and even windows, possibly all imports. The first clue is the fact the front door opens out, not in. It will no doubt flummox the election candidates when they call to the doorsteps over the next few months.

The property has a 17’ by 15’ sitting room with bay window to the front and fireplaces; sliding doors link it back to a smaller living room with patio doors; there’s a bright new 19’ by 12’ kitchen/breakfast room with white units and an island, as well as further rear garden access.

There’s a guest WC off the tiled hall and the first floor has three bedrooms plus a main bathroom with both a corner bath and a shower.

Very steep steps lead to an attic level room, which could possibly be used as a fourth bedroom, a study or den.

The house has gas heating, and a home-made barbecue installation.