Life at the top in city centre home

Three-storey, two-bed townhouse in Cork is high-end, with a mid-floor kitchen and en-suites, says Tommy Barker.

Mary Street, Cork City €325,000

Sq m 105 (1,130 sq ft)

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

BER: C1

Best Feature: City centre living, with a bit of contemporary edge

THE €325,000 price might seem high for a city centre two-bedroom home — but townhouse No 5 isn’t average.

Built in an enclave off Mary Street, by Parliament Bridge, near the South Mall and Douglas Street, it’s one of five units developed by a niche firm with broad construction background which has also converted old city properties into high-end apartments.

This is three-storey and a one-off, the largest of the five, says selling agent, Johnny O’Flynn, of Sherry FitzGerald, who prices the 1,130 sq ft No 5 at €325,000, noting its contemporary style and edge, high level of finish and specification, and its two en-suite bedrooms.

Having had a few high-end apartment sales recently in locations like Lancaster Gate, by the River Lee Hotel, Mr O’Flynn is pitching this offer to ‘professionals’ who want an urban base for work and living, and with the city centre on their doorstep.

Yet, for those who need to travel slightly further afield, the sale includes a private car parking space in a communal area with electric-gate access.

A glass door opens to an oak-floored hall, and this lower level is home, too, to one of the two 16’ by 13’ bedrooms, with dressing area and good en-suite bathroom.

The mid-level houses an open-plan 18’ by 6’ kitchen/living/dining room, mostly with oak floor, and kitchen units are in a red gloss, in a U-shape with tiled floor, and there’s access to a balcony overlooking the courtyard and, further off, the back of older buildings along George’s Quay.

An open-tread stairs with return leads to a second floor, which is home to another en-suite bedroom, the best of the two, with high, pitched ceiling, exposed beams and apex window.

VERDICT: Tall home for the upwardly mobile.