Co Cork: €3mConversions of stone buildings often benefit from being given a contemporary interior, particularly when the setting is something rather special.
The Grain Store in Baltimore, Co Cork was used in the 19th century to store grain for export during the Napoleonic Wars. Its 21st century look is both old and modern - a substantial family home with five en suite bedrooms and an interior as smart and sassy as any Manhattan loft.
Joint agents Hamilton Osbourne King, Sherry Fitz-Gerald O'Neill and Knight Frank are quoting €3 million for this unusual property. The Grain Store is on the island of Ringarogy, connected to the mainland by an all-weather causeway on the edge of the Ilen estuary. It sits on about five acres which includes half a mile of river frontage with a private beach, helicopter pad, and access to deep water mooring.
With 650sq m (7,000sq ft) of living space and water and meadow views from every window, no-one will feel hemmed in. When the owners bought the Grain Store, it had been empty for more than a century and almost derelict. They rebuilt one wing with stone collected from the site and sourced old cladding slates all over the country. The vast entrance hall with its steel, glass and wood staircase rising to a gallery sets the scene for the rest of the interior. Tall wrap-around windows look out on the estuary from most rooms and there is no shortage of natural light.
There are four reception rooms and a huge kitchen / familyroom and conservatory. Bedrooms are all large with en suites. Occupying the space of the average two-bed apartment, the main bedroom suite has two dressingrooms and a magnificent Italian en suite bathroom.
