Builder duo turn shoddy Victoria Road home into €395k city slicker 

NO amount of text could tell the story half as well as the aerial image featured here because it truly captures why Kingston Avenue is such a red-hot location.

Only those living under a rock will not know of the game-changing plans for Cork city’s nearby docklands, backed by €353m in Government funds.

Over the next two decades, c 146ha of dockland will be developed, to include a new urban centre. Early wins include significant new public realm at the Marina, with works ongoing to upgrade surrounding amenities.

Longer term, we are promised a wealth of sustainable transport modes in the docklands and investment in drainage and flood protection.

In the meantime, private developers have made good headway on the North Docks at Penrose Quay (John Cleary Developments) and at Horgan’s Quay (BAM/Clarendon) which has a new hotel, a new office block and is set for 302 apartments (with Land Development Agency backing), while on the South Docks, nearer Kingston Avenue, O’Callaghan Properties (OCP) are gearing up for a €350m mixed-use development, having recently cleared the rubble left by two demolished giant grain silos. OCP’s Kennedy Quay plans include a rehabilitation hospital, offices and apartments.

At the heart of this bigger picture is No 4 Kingston Avenue, the buyers of which had their own transformation project, albeit a little more low key than the docklands.

They were Séamus Rogers (Donegal) and Brian Deasy (Blarney, Cork) who bought No 4 through the Glanmire-based company that they founded in 2019 - Deasy Rogers Construction Ltd. (Three years later, they won anIrish Enterprise Award for Best Family-owned Construction Company.) Centre-terrace No 4 was in pretty bad shape when Deasy Rogers acquired it.

 The hallway was filled with rubble from a partial roof collapse.

Their first job was to clear the rubble, followed by removal of interior finishes. A decision was made to extend to the rear.

“Because it had a simple, square footprint but was too small for a family, we decided in the planning stage to add on a rear extension to create the open-plan kitchen and dining area you see today,” they say.

It’s a terrific open-plan space, flooded with natural light thanks to the addition of two large skylights and a fully-glazed back door, which opens on to a narrow slice of yard, just wide enough for wheelie bin storage.

 It means the bins can be put out to the rear, on Eastville, rather than dragging them through the house.

As well as the rear extension, the roof had to be replaced and structural steel installed. New plumbing, electrical and heating systems were fitted. 

Insulation and draft proofing measures were also undertaken, resulting in a terrific boost to No 4’s energy efficiency rating. Not too many 145-year-old homes can lay claim to a B2 BER. Buyers can apply for kinder green mortgage rates.

The project took 9-12 months and was finished in 2021. John O’Donovan of Boogo Designs oversaw the interiors.

“He chose a fresh, modern look by aligning the colours, fabrics, flooring, furniture and lighting,” the owners say. 

Navy-blue walls are a striking feature in several rooms.

The owners say the house, in a cul-de-sac, was “a labour of love”. Áine McLoughlin of AML Property Services is selling this three-bedroom, 82 sq m home and she says house-hunters are loving it.

“It’s just a dream location. It’s so close to the city centre, yet out of the noise. I’ve had a few people who looked at an apartment in the Elysian but they like the privacy of the cul-de-sac and they like having a garden,” she says.

The garden— low maintenance — is all to the front and parking is on-street. 

Ms McLoughlin says she’s had “lots and lots of enquiries from people looking to downsize”, as well as from young professional couples.

She points out that it’s close to the Marina Market and promenade, as well as to Shalom Park in neighbouring Jewtown. Sonny’s Deli sells tasty food around the corner, while restaurant Salt is just up the road, near the green space of Kennedy Park.

The house’s age — it dates to 1880 — means it has the lovely high ceilings of older homes, while having the body of a much younger property, as do other homes on the seven-house terrace, where most have undergone significant upgrades.

Ms McLoughlin is guiding No 4 at €395,000. At the city end of Victoria Road, it’s in an attractive neighbourhood.

VERDICT: Ideal home for urbanites in a solid neighbourhood. Class renovation job.