House of the Week: Best of Douglas-on-Sea
Well Road, Douglas
149 sq m (1,594 sq ft)
4
3
D3
Although their decades old dash render above red-brick doesn’t do them any favour in the initial ‘looks’ stakes, homes are Cork’s suburban Douglas Hall Lawn have charms that are more than skin deep.
Sure, they’re robustly well-built, and within a few minutes’ walk of Douglas village via the Well Road, and from November onwards should have the 'local' shop, the huge Douglas Village Shopping Centre. It's due back in business once more after the rebuilding work post-devastating multi-storey car park fire last year.
But, really their trump card is a setting overlooking an estuary fringed by Mahon Golf Club teeming with wildlife, some fish on the tides, presumably, and water fowl, for sure thanks to the slobs, as well as lots – and, lots – of rabbits.
The bouncing bunnies love to disport themselves on the expanse of green area, between the houses and the water and at this time of the year, they have an extra pep in their step.
The fauna, flora and natural beauty are among the most endearing things when first visiting and venturing into Douglas Hall Lawn, and as it’s a cul de sac, it’s a bit of a hidden treasure for many who’ve never ventured inside, from the roundabout linking Woodview with the Well Road, within a two-minute walk of GoGos cafe.
Among those who do venture in, through, are tennis players, as access to Douglas Tennis club is via Douglas Hall Lawn’s road between houses and the green.
It means just a bit of ‘non-local’ traffic at times, but the upside is anyone living here has a tennis club with a few minutes walks and heck, they’re even open for business in the current phase of Covid-19 lockdown.
There’s only a couple of dozen houses within Douglas Hall Lawn, notably with a fair mix of four-bed detacheds, as well as some four-bed semi-ds, and now one of that latter type has come to market.
Fresh to market with Dennis Guerin of Frank V Murphy & Co is No 11, a right-hand side semi, extended to the back on single story only to give it now about 1,600 sq ft over two levels, plus there’s further extension options.
There’s an adjacent garage behind the house, which could be imaginatively linked to the main dwelling and upgraded, and these homes are also very easily adapted for attic conversions.
Some neighbouring homes have considerable attic quarters created, signalled by Veluxes to front and back, and at least two have quite large dormers even to their front: with such clear views to the estuary, no rabbit could be safe from an attic sharp-shooter marksman with even a pellet gun.
FVM's Mr Guerin guides No 11 at €395,000, and for that sort of sum (might it get bidded much over €400,000?) new owners get a home with front lounge/dining room, living /sun room with Veluxes in the rear section, a kitchen with newly fitted units, and a guest WC/wet room with shower.
Up above on the next level are four bedroom, with double sets of built-in wardrobes/dressing tables, and a main family bathroom. With shower.
Externally there is off-street parking, a front garden, and a rear garden which is west-facing, with patio, side access to the garage, plus there is a lawn with step and mature back boundaries for privacy.
As it stands, No 11 gets a decent enough C3 BER rating, and has gas central heating and uPVC double glazing.
The Price Register shows just four resales at 1960s era Douglas Hall Lawn since 2010, with the highest being No 13, an extended four-bedroomed detached example: it made €657,000. Second-top price was No 22, making €500,000 in 2010.
In between, No 21 sold for €415,000 in 2016, and in 2013, a semi-d, No 10 was sold for an even €300,000.
No 10’s the ‘other half’ of 11, and as one of its owners is an architect, it got a deep energy efficient retrofit, some smart internal glazing options, plus a rear extension.
Those coming to view No 11 might like to inquire of possible upgrade and extensions options from the knowledgeable man at No 10, who’s done his family’s home by the book, a very up-to-date one.
