True period piece appeal near the city

IF architects hadn’t been so grievously hit by the construction downturn, there’d be a queue of them trying to buy 5 Westview. Now, they’ll be here, touting for work.

This century-old home has huge period charm, with its original architectural features here, in rich abundance – and there’s scope to do something contrastingly funky out the back as well by way of extension and drawing in light.

With many of the building professions out of work and on depleted incomes, and banks very slow to advance sums for a do-er up, this means a narrower buying market for 5 Westview at Church Road, Blackrock in Cork. It is new to market with Frank V Murphy auctioneers, who cautiously guide it at €285,000.

Nonetheless, this four-five bed c 1900s home by the Blackrock Road/village end of Church Road is getting early viewings from those who can spot the value of a good property, in a great suburban setting. A real bonus is rear access to the terrace for cars: in fact, some may re-orient their approaches to and fro from the back garden.

A downside might be its private, east-facing rear, hemmed in by high, neighbouring walls so you’ll lose the sun from morning onwards. Adding lots of glass around the rear annexe will draw in extra, indirect light, but by evening time, you’ll be watching the sun dancing at the end of the garden instead.

Inside, what appeal. The sturdy front door is replete with leaded coloured glass, and old brasses, hall and kitchen tiling is Victorian, ceilings are high and corniced, and the front and back reception rooms have original, ornate slate fireplaces and cast iron inserts, with a deep bay window in front for evening sun. Neat, painted pine sliding doors draw back into the linked reception rooms’ dividing walls.

Out back, there’s an old breakfast room with alcove for the old (removed) stove in situ, a kitchenette beyond, and there’s an outside loo by the back yard as well.

Overhead, the first floor has four compact bedrooms, and the rear annexe has a separate WC and bathroom with decent cast iron bath. A bit of reconfiguring could provide a more decent master bedroom, maybe at the cost of reducing the bedroom tally, and in any case there’s a stair-accessed attic fifth bedroom.

No 5 will prove a shrewd buy.