Rochelle Park goes to the top of the class

THERE are two developments along Cork’s Old Blackrock Road called Rochelle, picking up the name of a former denominational boarding school of that title.

The later Rochelle, developed in the mid-2000s by O’Callaghan Properties, actually replaced the old school building, a bit akin to calling a development after the trees which were cleared away, only to be replaced by bricks and mortar.

The earlier Rochelle development is Rochelle Park, around the corner off the Old Blackrock Road, on Victoria Avenue, and here in this in-fill niche of about 20 houses No 5 is newly up for sale: its family owners are trading up.

The location puts it within a walk of the city centre, Kennedy Park and the Marina, and the south city link road is a couple of minutes away by car, along the Boreenmanna Road.

Essentially simple in style, it is going to have a pretty wide appeal to a range of buyers: The location is handy, within an easy walk of the city centre, the setting is a cul de sac, the back garden and the add-on sun-room is south-facing, while the 1,200 sq ft house manages to accommodate four bedrooms, and overall condition is excellent.

So says Conor Smith of Savills, seeking €425,000 for No 5, built by O’Brien and O’Flynn back in the late 1990s.

It has a pretty good specification, as in guest WC at ground level, main bathroom and en suite in the main bedroom (there are two doubles, and two single bedrooms,) obviously catching up with modern plumbing needs which saw a sea change in the ‘90s in particular.

Heating is gas fired, with a gas fire in the front 18’ by 11’ sitting room, and both the front entry porch and rear sunroom (off the dining room) have energy efficient, Argon-gas filled double glazing. The kitchen is bright, with light oak units.

The property has off-street parking in front for two cars, and secure gated side access to the sunny, southerly aspected back garden which is decent sized for a city townhouse (it is end-of-terrace) and the front faces onto a public green. There’s a sense of security thanks to walled-in back garden.