Price drop may seal deal

MIGHT a price reduction put the letter ‘d’ at the end of Villa Sol, turning it into Villa Sold?

It has been quite a while on and possibly off the market: think coming up to five years, and that’s a whack of time for a 5,000 sq ft Rochestown Cork home, with swimming pool, on over an acre.

Back when first marketed, in spring 2006, this big 1980s house built to a high level by a German businessman, had a €2.6 million asking price, and had interest over the €2m figure at the time.

Now, listed with two different agents, Frank V Murphy & Co and O’Donoghue Clarke at €850,000 and possibly even open to offers around that, it might well be time for fresh eyes to look over its good bones and accommodation.

Villa Sol is up close to the monastery and secondary school in Rochestown, and was built about 30 years ago by the owner of the Hele window company for his family use.

On 1.2 acres of lawns, landscaping and with a stream at its lower road boundary, essentially it is laid out in three sections. It still has much of the look of its original design and decor, all ageing well — so should there be an 1980s revival, it will once again be bang on the mark.

Villa Sol is a grand big home by anyone’s book, with five bedrooms (two en suites) and four bathrooms in all, plus a virtual leisure centre in the pool block, with a 10 metre heated pool, sauna, showers and a bar.

Living rooms are also generous — the lounge, for example, is 26’ by 16’ with a marble hearth, and a good range of other rooms, including a dining room, family room, study, conservatory, plus utility, and a 20’ by 11’ kitchen.

Quality materials feature here (plus an emphasis on security) using marble, mahogany, oak, cedar, rosewood and ash, with workmanship standing the test of time. The challenge for any new owner will be to modernise the look, without throwing the baby out with the coloured bathroom suites.