For anyone who still thinks downtown apartment living is sort of the poor cousin of a three-bed suburban semi-d, a peek inside Opera’s showhouse condos. Lane in Cork will cure you soon.

All the boho-chic – subway kitchen tiles, vintage cabinetry, even a decorative ladder – it’s easy to see why young professionals or older executives looking to downsize might decide to invest.

Two apartments have just arrived on the market, on the heels of sales agents O’Connor Murphy reaching the “agreed sale” on two previous versions – a 3 bed 114 m² with a very large terrace, for € 580,000, and a 92 m² two-bed for 460,000 €, both presented in these pages. Cue the release of two more apartments, nos 11 and 37, both on the third floor, 92 m², two-bedroom apartments, with a starting price this time of € 465,000.

The slow release of these apartments began last October, marking the first time they have entered the market since their completion in 2009 by O’Callaghan Properties (OCP). OCP sold 59 of the 61 apartments last year to investors backed by Deutsche Bank, Riga Developments.

The decision to rent rather than sell in 2009 was due to timing, as the real estate market collapsed following the 2008 financial crash.

Now, as the 10 year leases expire, Riga Developments sells out and agent Riona Coleman says there is interest among tenants in place and also investors, who might decide to lease it for a number of years. ‘years, before being reduced to this top of the range. , practical, apartment living.

Opera Lane is as central as it gets, and the Paul Mulligan-designed units have generous bedrooms, individual private balconies, and a substantial amount of glazing, ensuring plenty of natural light.

The main living space is open plan – a kitchen / dining / living room – and the showhouse, fitted out by interior designer Jane Gilloway (she also oversaw the refurbished panoramic terrace at the Montenotte Hotel in Cork) gives a good idea of ​​elegance and style. these apartments can be. Jane made a number of subtle changes, like flipping a cabinet in the laundry room to create both a “utility area” and a compact home office area.

Jane also created a nice separation between the kitchen / dining room and the living room in the main living space by introducing an island (which is not standard) for dining.

Extensive glazing at the end of the street facing the street adds space and light. French doors lead to a private patio.

Whatever the view, there are plenty of windows to soak in, with a very large corner window in one bedroom and a bathroom in the other, while the master bathroom is off the hallway.

The towel warmers are heated, the bathrooms have power showers and the apartments are equipped for broadband.

Ms Coleman says each apartment comes with a dedicated parking space in an underground parking lot, with a car lift from Bowling Green Street.

She also says that the third floor of the apartment buildings (there are two blocks, A and B, above the retail units on either side of Opera Lane) “have the best patios.”

There is no doubt that the Opera Lane apartments, with an annual management fee of € 1,800, appeal not only to investors, but also to young professionals looking for quality accommodation in the city center, or perhaps owner-occupants who can benefit from the rent. tax relief scheme for chambers.

There’s certainly an appetite for upscale city living: Trevor O’Sullivan of Coldwell Banker Carlton Estates sold a three-bedroom penthouse at Lancaster Gate last December for $ 1million.

VERDICT : No car necessary, minimal maintenance, evening on a whim.