€310k commercial city centre unit with potential for living over the shop

No 44 North Main St is in a part of Cork city earmarked for regeneration, with grants available for creating living space over ground floor retail 

44 North Main St, Cork city is has a ground floor retail unit and potential for city centre living

A FOUR-storey commercial premises on Cork city’s North Main Street, with potential for living over the shop, is on the market for €310,000.

The prominent mid-terrace traditional redbrick building previously housed men’s fashion store Reflex on the ground floor, but the store closed during the pandemic. Upper floors had been used for ancillary storage.

The 227 sq m (2,440 sq ft) premises is being sold with vacant possession and selling agent Johanna Murphy of Johanna Murphy & Sons said she’s already had enquiries from parties interested in converting the building into residential units.

As Cork City Council is actively promoting its Living City initiative in special regeneration areas of the city such as North Main St, an investor might expect to avail of various grants designed to transform long-vacant units above stores into viable homes.

The lifetime of the scheme was recently extended to 2030. The council’s chief executive officer, Valerie O’Sullivan, previously told the Irish Examiner that North Main St is “ripe for a living over the shop demonstrator project” and that she believed living over the shop was “key to a successful city centre”.

“It’s important to note that Cork City Council is promoting over-the-shop city living and this property is ideal. It’s an excellent purchase for the first-time buyer/investor for both commercial and residential,” Ms Murphy said.

44 North Main St, Cork city

“It’s a great size and a great location and the whole area is up for regeneration,” the agent added. Floor sizes range from 66 sq m at ground floor level to 49 sq m on the top floor.

Part of the city’s medieval spine, North Main Street is one of Cork city’s busiest retail thoroughfares, within walking distance of St Patrick St, Grand Parade, and Cornmarket St, with consistently high levels of daily pedestrian activity.

Nearby occupiers include Ryans Bar, Mr Price, Euro Giant, and Bradley’s Specialist Off-Licence & Foodstore.
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