The criteria for a dream home can be wide and varied but there’s little doubt that this showstopper of a property in Lower Aghada in Cork ticks more than enough boxes to fit the bill.
1 Harbour’s Edge is a stunning A0-rated detached house which offers 260sqm of living space in a landmark waterfront setting with its own private mooring.
If that’s not enough to whet your appetite then the views, the home spa and the private gym might just make you stand up and pay attention to it.
1 Harbour’s Edge is a home like no other in the area. Built using Italian beige Capri brick, kiln-dried German fir with a 50-year rot guarantee and aluminium, there’s nothing else remotely like it anywhere in Aghada.
Indeed, this is a home you’d travel far and wide to find anything like such is the extraordinary attention to detail that has gone into it.
Occupying a magnificent waterfront setting in Lower Aghada, 1 Harbour’s Edge is an extraordinary, elegant four-bedroom, four-bathroom contemporary residence overlooking the waters of Cork Harbour.
Designed by architect Andrew O’Brien and completed following an exacting 14-month design and construction programme, this is a home in which architecture, interior design and technology have been considered as one. AK Designs were involved throughout nine months of the project, creating a beautifully resolved interior where bespoke finishes, layered lighting, and uninterrupted harbour views combine to a remarkable effect.
Set on just under 0.4 acres, behind two electronically gated entrances, the property offers exceptional privacy, parking for up to 10 vehicles, and a large carport that could house a boat and/or jet ski throughout the winter, with an EV charger, which is economic and ecological. Most importantly, the property has its own private mooring, placing the harbour quite literally at the owner’s doorstep.
Provisional works have been put in place for 21 solar panels, including the inverter and battery, with full installation set be carried out upon acceptance of an offer. There is also underfloor heating throughout, mechanical ventilation in every room, an air-to-water heating system, airtightness throughout and air conditioning. With the combination of this and the solar panels, the house is extremely energy efficient.
The defining architectural feature of 1 Harbour’s Edge is its extraordinary relationship with the water. Approximately 15 metres of frameless double-glazed glass draws the harbour into the heart of the home, creating a near-seamless connection between the principal living spaces, with an outdoor balcony/terrace providing over 60sqm of outdoor entertaining space with external soft lighting and audio - perfect to enjoy the harbour views under the setting sun.
Specialist glazing was supplied by 20/20, while the external aluminium finish to the windows was carefully coordinated with the rainwater downpipes in ochre gold. The result is a crisp, contemporary exterior with exceptional visual continuity.
The elevations incorporate aluminium detailing, distinctive Capri brick surrounds and high-performance timber cladding carrying a 50-year guarantee. Every external material has been selected for its appearance, durability and suitability for this exposed coastal setting.
If the look of the property catches your eye, then the interior won’t disappoint either.
Upon arrival into the entrance hallway, there is the guest WC featuring opulent, tactile wallpaper and a concrete sink with exposed copper wastepipes, as well as a ceiling surrounded by recessed coving and art deco light fitting, and ceiling rose. The attention to detail is uncompromised, evoking the senses.
There is also a home office, with an east corner window flooding the room with morning light.
The kitchen, created by Chris Keating House of Design, forms the centrepiece of the principal living accommodation. It features a beautifully finished Dekton countertop with integrated venting hob, ample storage, seating and a wine fridge.
This area is the heart of the home, as the developer created a visual masterpiece by adding three large mirrors. This gives you both a 360 view of the water whilst also acting as a screen from the main working kitchen area. Designed for everyday family life and entertaining, it connects naturally with the living areas and the extensive waterfront glazing beyond.
Throughout the house, AK Designs has used carefully layered lighting to create atmosphere and architectural definition. Recessed cove lighting provides a soft, warm glow, while illuminated alcoves and feature lighting bring depth and character to each individual room.
The main living room includes a custom-built media wall incorporating an LED canvas feature. Panelled walls, illuminated alcoves and discreet recessed lighting create a sophisticated yet comfortable space from which to enjoy the constantly changing harbour outlook.
A dramatic concrete staircase, clad in oak, connects the home’s three levels and provides a striking contrast between the solidity of the structure and the natural warmth of the timber. There is also a residential elevator servicing all three floors.
There are four bedrooms in total in 1 Harbour’s Edge. The principal bedroom suite occupies the middle floor and has been designed as a luxurious private retreat.
Its bespoke suede headboard was made specifically for the room, while the adjoining walk-in wardrobe provides extensive fitted storage, a central drawer console and a dedicated watch display. The en-suite bathroom includes a generously proportioned walk-in shower with an integrated seating area, combining comfort with refined contemporary design.
Three further bedrooms are positioned on the ground floor. One includes its own en-suite bathroom and extensive fitted storage, making it particularly suitable as a guest suite. All four bathrooms are fully tiled and finished to an exacting standard. The shower enclosures feature specially manufactured frameless glass doors, maintaining the home’s clean and understated architectural aesthetic.
The additional features are another stand-out of 1 Harbour’s Edge.
The fully fitted private gym was designed and equipped by RPM with floor-to-ceiling mirrors, professional rubber flooring and a comprehensive range of equipment—including a treadmill, exercise bike, squat rack, free weights, and slam balls. A roller door opens the gym directly onto the exterior, allowing the space to be naturally ventilated and connecting it with the lower garden and outdoor areas.
The wellness spa is another feature that pushes this home from the ordinary to the extraordinary category. It features a 4-person hot tub, jacuzzi, enclosed steam room with ambient LED lighting, and massage shower with hot and cold sensor experience. There is also an external LED display module for adjusting temperature, steam volume, and humidity.
The entire spa has ceiling audio, while views from the spa are 180 degrees, catching glimpses of incoming cruise liners to Cobh and the spiral of the iconic Cobh Cathedral.
Integrated surround sound serves the kitchen, living room, principal bedroom and spa area while air conditioning provides year-round comfort.
The property is turnkey and comes with the benefit of being fully furnished with bespoke, handmade furniture.
The gardens are also spectacular. To the front, a beautifully composed serenity garden features planting deliberately selected to create a calm and welcoming arrival. The landscaped grounds are illuminated by 18 perimeter lights, allowing the architecture, gardens and waterfront terraces to be enjoyed long after sunset.
Slip-resistant porcelain tiles extend across the patio and continue down the steps to the lower garden. A glass balustrade preserves the open harbour views, while integrated lighting and outdoor speakers make the terrace an exceptional setting for summer entertaining. With direct access to the water and its own private mooring, this is a home created not simply to overlook Cork Harbour but to experience it.
Security is also important in this home. The property incorporates a comprehensive security and home-access system, including seven CCTV cameras connected to a central hub. Digital touchscreen interfaces provide control of the alarm system and electronically operated entrance gates. With gated access at both entrances, extensive external lighting, and integrated surveillance, the property offers a reassuring level of privacy and security.
Away from the waterfront, the location has so much going for it. Lower Aghada is one of East Cork’s most desirable coastal settings - a peaceful harbour community offering sailing, boating and waterside living within convenient reach of Midleton and Cork city.
The local pier is approximately 300m from the property and the Marloag Yacht Club and Marina are only a 5-minute punt away, making it perfect for mooring a bigger boat or yacht.
Lower Aghada Tennis & Sailing Club is at the heart of the community, with six floodlit all-weather tennis courts, sailing facilities, coaching, and activities for both adults and younger members. The wider area also offers an excellent choice of sporting and recreational clubs, including GAA, camogie, ladies’ football, soccer, rowing, golf and pitch and putt.
Everyday services are available locally in Lower Aghada and nearby Whitegate, while Midleton provides an extensive range of shops, restaurants, cafés, schools, and leisure facilities. The town is also home to Market Green Shopping Centre, a cinema, and the renowned Jameson Distillery.
The airport is only 30 minutes' away, and Midleton’s commuter rail service provides regular connections to Cork city, combining the privacy and natural beauty of harbour living with practical access to the city and its surrounding employment centres.
All in all, 1 Harbour's Edge is a residence of rare quality and ambition. From its 15-metre expanse of frameless glazing and bespoke interiors to its private gym, landscaped gardens, waterfront terraces and private mooring, every element has been created to complement an exceptional position on Cork Harbour.
This is more than a spectacular contemporary home; it is a 5-star hotel experience in the privacy of your own home and an opportunity to live securely and beautifully at the water’s edge.
Find out more about 1 Harbour’s Edge on MyHome at www.myhome.ie/5029258 or contact selling agent James Colbert of Colbert & Co on 021 4639557.
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