Three stylish new homes sure to attract attention in chic city suburb

THERE are three house prospects in the one property at Woolhara House — subject to market forces.

The old Woolhara House on Cork city’s Douglas Road is set for demolition, and replacement with three new-builds, with buyers now sought in the c.€1.5 million price region.

The old, faded and ultimately disappointing detached house of an uncertain period on one of Cork’s most expensive residential roads is to go by the wayside, to be replaced by three 3,000-plus sq ft new builds in bright, shiny box shapes.

The site, by the chic cul de sac estates of Woolhara and Knockrea, is probably little more than a third of an acre, so the new-builds will be rubbing shoulders closely with one another, digging down into the sites somewhat, to allow three levels in all of accommodation.

Once built, they’ll mark a sort of contemporary styling gate on the main Douglas Road, as almost directly opposite Woolhara are two, almost completed, very large over-basement homes, with scimitar-like roof protrusions, set for sale in the coming months, likely to be offered in the €2 to €3m category.

With those two lofty, thrusting copper and slate-clad houses on one side, and this trio on the other, there’ll be a sort of new interpretation offered of Cork city’s coat of arms, with contemporary chic replacing old castles on the crest, perhaps with large SUV midships, in place of a ship in full sail?

Estate agent Dan Howard of Dooleyand Howard is selling at Woolhara House for its consortium of owners, who paid over €1.5 million for it around two years ago.

Design of the replacement trio is by architects NMA (Niall McGuire) and Sterring O’Shea, and suggested layout is one ground floor bedroom, three top floor bedrooms, and living spaces in between.

Buyers will choose final finishes. The contract is out to tender; the finish should have an A-level BER rating.