House of the week

FACING the lichen covered walls of St Peter’s Church at Carrigrohane, the Hayfield estate is maturing nicely, nearly 10 years on from being built.

The preserve of medics in its early days, the large, detached red-bricks are favoured because of the location so close to the region’s major hospitals.

Classically and generously proportioned and providing a safe environment for children, the Hayfield houses are on the rim of the city’s Green Belt.

Yet they’re a short drive to the city on the Model Farm Road, with the Ballincollig Bypass close by for all points beyond.

The fact that they’re quite similar in layout to the Blackrock, Lindville houses is no coincidence, they were designed by Hogan and Associates architects and were conceived by Ruden Homes, who purchased the site following a liquidation — before the boom.

The land, which was then a barley field of four and a half acres off the Model Farm Road, was purchased by John Deane of Ruden Homes for the record-breaking price of €1 million an acre, back in 2001.

When first launched in 2003, the four-bed types were sold off plan at €490,000 and within a year had jumped to €630,000 because of demand.

This year - having crested the million mark and beyond - the houses are settling downward in value and the same house type is now on offer at €745,000 at 20 Hayfield.

And with this sale, through Jeremy Murphy and Associates, buyers are not only getting a fully finished product with extras, they will also win with the great corner site, south-facing garden and clean, quality accommodation.

Tucked away at the end of a row, (with only the gates to show), the house has a fully cobble-locked driveway that could hold up to six cars with still some room for a bit of landscaping.

This forecourt is excellent for small children as it allows the use of bikes, trikes and trolleys, without recourse to the road. And there’s more than enough grass at the rear for hard play.

Inside, there’s plenty of light thanks to deep windows, high ceilings and a layout that’s fairly open plan.

The formal living room has walnut floors, a sandstone insert fireplace, bay window and double doors leading from the hallway.

Beyond it is the large, split-level informal living space which consists of a U-shaped kitchen tucked off to the right, (with utility and side door beyond) finished in blond maple with granite worktop. It opens onto the dining area which comes with a window facing east.

The split-level design allows a drop to the family room, which is a sun room, really, as full length windows flank the south and south-western side.

The inner wall has a simple, sandstone fireplace and flooring is good quality light oak.

Double doors lead outside where there’s a simple, but large deck and handily, this runs all the way to the washing line and shed — no wet feet.

The circulation space in this house is excellent, with wide hallways, good closet space and a decent guest bathroom. Overhead, there are four double bedrooms with three to the front, including en suite master with fitted wardrobes and a fourth, en suite bedroom facing south over the garden. It adjoins the main bathroom which is modern and well-fitted.

Jeremy Murphy feels the house is pitched at today’s market and says his vendors at No 20 have maintained the house to a very high standard:

“This is a quality house and it has one of the nicest sites in the park — it has a large, corner position and it’s not overlooked. It’s a lovely house.”