Bridgefield at Bishopstown hopes to buck the trend with better prices

FLEETING glimpses is all that most passers-by get of the finished apartment scheme Bridgefield, on the edge of Cork’s Bishopstown suburb.

Although set on the Curraheen Road, most traffic passes them by on the newish Ballincollig by-pass, so good driving practice dictates they’re only barely viewed.

“Don’t judge the book by the cover,” counsels selling agent Jeremy Murphy. “When people get to see them inside, they really make a very strong impression.” Cases in point? He’s had about 10 sales since he was appointed to the development last spring. And, with price reductions anew, he’s set for more foot traffic through the four currently going to market.

Near CIT, the CUH and new maternity hospital, as well as schools and shops, the scheme of 108 contemporary-designed units, including townhouses and apartments, first came up for sale in 2007, as the property market meltdown began.

Sales had been slow, but price adjustments kept them ticking over for developers Bride View Homes, and now sales figures are around the 70 mark, with the scheme fully finished out externally, notes Mr Murphy.

He says purchasers are a mix of first time buyers, especially those with home family links to west Cork and Kerry given this city quadrant setting, as well as some traders down, plus a few staff in the CUH. The imminent completion of the Marymount Hospice nearby may bring more buyers and “for investors looking to the longer term, they’ll rent all day long”, says the upbeat agent.

He has put new, lower prices “to reflect February 2001 levels” on one example of each of four house types, just in need of appliances and furniture.

So, they’ve fitted kitchens, carpets, tiling, built-ins and high BER levels, and proximity to Wilton/Bishopstown has been the main selling point, with reduced prices likely to bring a further flurry of interest.

Prices for new, top floor two-bed 800 sq ft apartments here are €175,000 for No 6 Bridgefield Green (launch prices for two-beds had, optimistically, been €385,000 back in the day,) and a 1,200 sq ft three-bed duplex apartment at 14 Bridgefield Court is priced at €235,000, with one en suite.

Complete with its zinc pitched roof, a three-bed 1,100 sq ft townhouse, 14 Bridgefield Grove (the most traditional of the offerings) is priced at €245,000, while a four-bed, end terrace townhouse at 1 Bridgefield Green is priced at €260,000 — down by as much as €200,000 from early ‘07 prices.

All of the homes have gas central heating, Swedex windows, Home Bond registration etc. Design of the six-acre scheme is by architects Murray O Laoire.