Barrack Street was acquired for €130,000, a Victorian-era terraced property that had been rented for many years and required full refurbishment at the point of purchase. While the house had deteriorated significantly, it retained strong structural foundations and authentic 1800s period character. Positioned at the end of a terrace in Waterford city centre, it sits on one of the city’s most charming, community-focused streets, supported by established local businesses including a butcher, bakery, pub, convenience shop, and salon services.

A renovation budget of €58,000 was allocated to essential structural and fabric upgrades. Works included the complete replacement of the stair structure and a full retrofit of the building from a BER F to a C2 energy rating. Additional upgrades included a new boiler and heating system, improved insulation, and the replacement of windows and doors. The existing PVC windows were replaced with mock sash windows, reversing poor design changes from previous decades that had removed key heritage detail.

Today, the property is a beautifully restored terraced home—comfortable, enduring in style, and thoughtfully returned to its place on Barrack Street. The project shows that successful period renovations focus first on protecting the structure, respecting the building’s history, and aligning both design and budget from the very start. Above all, it proves that restoring a home to the character it was always meant to have does not need to cost the earth. Smart decisions, not bigger budgets, deliver the best results.