8 July 2021
By Tom Collins
tom@TheCork.ie
Presenting 1A Thomond Square (also known as “Gate Lodge” or “The Lodge”), Old Blackrock Road (opposite South Infirmary), Cork City, T12 FC7W – just a few doors away from well-known pub ‘Paddy the Farmers’. This property could be the answer to someones prayers!
The gravel garden, perhaps you could park your motorbike or bicycle here? Off street parking would certainly be easier than in an apartment
On 14 August 2014, this property sold for €47,500 (it had an asking price of €50,000). At that time it was described by the then estate agent as being “Gate Lodge, Thomond Square” and it needed some modernisation. Fast forward 7 years and it’s now described as “1A Thomond Square” and has indeed been modernised by its Newcestown based owner. Everything that could be done has been done. According to the estate agent’s listing, someone was paying €1,100 per month for this home until recently.
Where is the home?
When size doesn’t matter
A shoebox unit is a home of 500 square feet (46.45 m2) or less, generally designed for a single occupant. This tiny home in Cork City is even smaller than that, according to the Estate Agent’s listing it’s just 376.73 square feet (35m2), that’s less than the size of a 2-car garage, but as any property expert will tell you; it’s all about the location. If it has the benefit of a sea view, river view, or is in a City that can outweigh the negatives of the small space.
Estate Agent’s Description
Rooms
- Entrance Hallway – Laminate floor, utility area plumbed for washing machine.
- Bathroom – Guest WC & WHB, Power Shower extensively tiled.
- Kitchen / Living Room – Laminate floor, fully fitted kitchen with stainless steel sink & drainer, integrated hob, oven, extractor and fridge freezer.
- Bedroom – Fitted double bed with built in shelving with dressing room.
- Mezzanine area – ideal for storage.
- Outside – Small area to the front with gate.
BER Details
What is the floor area?
A named person applied for Planning Permission for “Retention for porch and bathroom extension to western elevation of existing dwelling house which is a Protected Structure” under Planning Register Number 20/39509 on 28/08/2020, but the Planning Enquiry System of Cork City Council indicates that particular application was refused. Interestingly, the scanned application form stated that the floor space of the property was 30m2 which is even smaller than the 35m2 on the estate agent’s listing. Further, the estate agents listing from circa 2014 actually listed the area as only 27m2.
Photos of what the home looks like now
SIVUH is on the right
Hallway looking into the home (kitchen at end, WC on right)
This is the kitchen-living room but there isn’t really any living room!
There is a couch, so does that make this a living room? probably yes
The bedroom area was re-created to have storage above, and you’ll need it
You’ll never get out the wrong side of bed, there is only one side!
The bedroom has a window, but no direct light
Looking down from the storage area
The storage area above the bedroom
The shower has glass bricks onto the hallway
Modern WC
The Washing machine is in the Hallway
A narrow hallway
Photos of what it looked like circa 2014, before modernisation
