Gateway to sales success

QUIETLY launched and quietly ticking over, the Lancaster Gate development on Cork’s Western Road is one of the success stories of the slump.

All of the units in phase one of this O’Callaghan Properties scheme are now sold and occupied, and that’s due in no small part to the location. (So too has the genius marketing slogan: ‘if you lived here, you’d be home by now’).

But the sleek Henry J Lyons design, using aluminium and glass in three main buildings, has also pushed sales.

This is one of the most striking and contemporary apartment developments in the city, (The Elysian is another), and while it came a shave too late for the boom, the quality of the product has seen steady business.

And units here are not cheap — but prices have dropped — a one-bed can be purchased for €290,000, a two-bed for €435,000 and a large three-bed from €555,000 upwards.

Sleek penthouse units can cost in the region of €900,000 — but what views.

A buy here is a turnkey job, as the show units illustrate, and to drive on sales, Catherine McAuliffe of Savills HOK is now manning a marketing suite on site.

Just opened, this rather cool contemporary space will take walk-in viewings from 1pm to 3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and at other times by appointment.

Ms McAuliffe is at the ready with the keys to a number of units and Lancaster Gate is well worth a look.