Towering ambition at stylish city centre walled scheme

CALLANAN’S TOWER and the apartments built around it can now speak for itself. Just as well.

Even those used to estate agents’ enthusiastic prose would have had to cock a snoot at the description of this Cork folly tower and its attributes when first built almost 150 years ago. It was supposed to be at the centre of a pleasure gardens and racecourse to be developed by local grocer and wine merchant, Michael Callanan.

It had, went an advertising description in 1871, “a bird’s eye view of the entire city and suburbs” — so far, fair enough.

But, then it went on to extol the river views and noted “the Lee can be traced almost from its source in wild Gougane Barra through its many windings to the ocean”.

A full span of the Lee in view, then? Some 56 miles from a hilly mound on Cork city’s inner suburban southside?

Hmm, that’s up there with the descriptions of commuting distances like ’only an hour from Dublin’ or ‘ten minutes to the Lee Tunnel.’

But, truth be told, even today, in prosaic terms, the new development at Callanan’s Tower does have busily beguiling views up and down the Lee valley and across Cork city. And, Since the tower has been restored and covered with a coloured lime render called harling, it can be seen from many quarters of the city.

Many of the 14 apartments and duplexes in the tower’s grounds have great views, and clever window placements to capture the various sights.

Every unit has own-door access, and no two units are the same.

Contemporary architectural style mixes with the novelty and eye-engaging appeal of the restored old stone tower folly, which, while conserved externally, remains an empty shell inside.

Mark Kelly of Lisney is selling the Italianate, privately set, off-street units, and has four pre-launch sales, and 10 going on public offer.

He reckons there’ll be good owner-occupier and investor interest given the quality of the development and the mix of shared communal and private spaces.

Sizes range from one-beds of 550 sq ft to 1,200 sq ft three-bed duplexes; prices go from €295,000 for a one-bed without parking to two-beds at €340,000, and larger ones at €420,000 including parking, while three-bed duplexes with parking weigh in around €450,000.

Building materials come from a natural and sympathetic range including cedar and hardwood fascias, zinc, stone, natural slate, cast aluminium and more.

Viewing is by appointment.