Summerhill (North) and the living is easy at upgraded period  townhouse

THERE’S been a full and professional, top-to-toe makeover on the multi-level home at Cork City’s 14 Summerhill North — it’s now a walk-in period home job, within a two-minute walk of the so-called Victorian Quarter, set amid little and large homes of both the Victorian and, earlier, Georgian eras.

Summerhill North started to be developed from 1820, bringing with it a vibrant mix of homes along either side of the hill up to St Luke’s Cross, Montenotte, the city barracks and more — with large detached villas, plus short terraces of more manageable homes.

 It also has the gardens of big terraced crackers on Wellington Road too, reaching down on its northern flank, behind forbiddingly high old stone walls, with glimpses up through some secure pedestrian gates.

Among the smaller, but none the less engaging homes is No 14 Summerhill North, looking to be Georgian in origin with replacement top hinged small paned windows and a elegant, tall doorcase, giving little away as to its internal layout.

Only, now it’s open season for viewings as it’s for sale as a fully-upgraded city pad, described as a 1,100 sq ft two-bed townhouse by selling agent Dominic Creedon of Powell Property.

He guides No 14 at €495,000, and while it’s chunk of change for a relatively compact two-bed, the upsides are the location, the walk-in order, the quality of what’s been done, and the kudos of a vintage property, in an equally venerable setting.

In front, it is set back off the road and incline with a railed garden, while behind it’s south-facing — with views down towards Kent rails station and the new north docks buildings such as the Dean Hotel, HQ offices at Horgan’s Quay where apartments are to come in train soon, and with Penrose Dock offices also to the city side.

The vista has been an evolving one right through No 14’s long history, from the 19th century, with more to come, and possibly also glimpsed are the offices on the south quays, where the professional team that upgraded No 14 also worked on a far larger scale.

The work here was done by Hepburn Contracting, spearheaded by Scots-born Francis Hepburn whose Cobh-based firm has done numerous commercial fit-outs for the likes of the HSE and for Clearstream at Navigation Square on Albert Quay. Interior design at No 14 was overseen by interior designer Jean Hepburn of Hepburn Professional.

The result, with a strong masculine feel “is finished and furnished to a very high standard. It’s the epitome of modern elegance and comfort, in a convenient and much sought-after residential location,” says agent Mr Creedon.

No 14 has an entry hall with stairs to a lower level and another section up to the first floor, while spiral stairs above leads to an attic level, with low eaves and old beams, a room full of character: What it might lack in head height is made up for by the charm, and the window seat by the large, apex dormer window with engaging south-facing views.

The ground level has a hall/library to the front, living room with original shutters, small-paned windows and ‘entertainment wall’ with a TV and electric fire built-in; there’s a sit-out area then, on a metal projection outside over the courtyard.

The lower ground inside has a kitchen with dining area with banquette seating and on-trend Banksy art prints, in keeping with décor look.

Bathrooms are high-spec, the main bedroom is en suite and the house is fully replumbed with slimline rads and rewired, with rooms’ heat individually controlled via multiple thermostats, whilst a BER is awaited.

Mr Creedon comments: No 14 has been “exquisitely designed with contemporary fittings throughout. The attention to detail in the refurbishment ensures that every aspect of the home is finished to perfection”.

VERDICT: For those perhaps considering an apartment or other convenient city pad buy, the chance to buy a period home fully updated with such views and setting may prove tempting: An offer of €475,000 has been made already, but has not been accepted.