Trading up: Cork City, €255,000

There’s something futuristic about the sloping front facade of Garnish, a building at Lancaster Gate, the site of the former Jurys Hotel.

The Garnish (Cork’s own Gherkin?) is all raked-back balconies and swept-back windows, one of several sharply angled buildings designed to allow views of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, from the Western Road, and points north, in Cork City centre.

Now, a top-floor, one-bed apartment, just shy of 600 sq ft, is for sale with Johnny O’Flynn, of Sherry FitzGerald, who says the quality of the O’Callaghan Properties development is driving interest, both from intending occupants, and investors.

The selling agent here had two recent sales of two-beds in adjacent Lancaster Gate buildings, for a strong €355/360,000 apiece, as evidence of demand and partial recovery of value.

Mr O’Flynn says this one-bed is bright, with a balcony, and has a westerly aspect, with River Lee and leafy views (see picture), down to the Western Road.

Location is half way between UCC and the city centre,across the road form Cafe Paradiso.

The sale includes a basement car-parking space, and the adjacent River Lee Hotel offers swimming pool and gym membership to residents.

VERDICT: Apartment sales are recovering in quality schemes and locations.