Starter homes: Vondel ready for lift-off

Location: Blackrock Road, Cork

LAST extended and invested in about ten years ago, even small things now will help lift the Blackrock Road home called Vondel back up and into a more shining order.

Bearing the same name as Amsterdam’s public park Vondelpark Cork’s Vondel is itself a bit of a walk in the park, or at least a walk into the city centre or down to the Marina amenity area. It’s set just near Lindville and Crab Lane, which has a handy local national school, and is newly up for sale with agents Cohalan Downing for its relocated owners.

It was last for sale in 2009 (at €990k), but was withdrawn, and before then it was for sale in 2004 (for €750k), just a few years after it had been significantly extended over two levels, with some unusual, broad corner windows put into the new wing, to a design by architect Jack Coughlan.

Today, its guide is a far more manageable €550,000, quoted by agent Malcolm Tyrrell who says the Blackrock Road, on all sections, is one of Cork’s property hot-spots, and among the first suburban areas to see values recovering steadily.

Vondel has been rented out in the recent past and could now do with a bit of sprucing up and some of the older sections could also do with insulation improved and new windows, but the work needed doesn’t appear to be huge.

It feels bigger that its 2,000 sq ft, and the upstairs seems almost bigger than what’s below, an impression possibly given by the long landing, with master en suite bedroom at one end, in the ‘new’ wing, above the kitchen.

There are three reception rooms plus kitchen/breakfast room with utility off, and a south and west-facing sun-trap terrace beyond. Gardens are mature, with high surrounding walls, and there’s off-street parking.

VERDICT: Detached status on the Blackrock Road should ensure interest and bids once more.