Because of the idyllic location of The Salmon Pool apartment and duplex scheme at Islandbridge, in Dublin 8, most of the units were snapped up in one weekend last October by early-bird buyers who purchased from plans. The completed development goes on show for the first time this weekend, with seven units out of 18 apartments left for sale in the threestorey block. One twobedroom unit remains, along with four three-bed apartments and two three-bedroom duplex apartments.
Five of the seven units currently for sale face the Phoenix Park with side river views, priced from £225,000 for the smallest 606 sq ft two-bed apartment, and from £310,000 for 960 sq ft threebed units. One three-bedroom apartment of 1,086 sq ft and one of the two remaining 1,135 sq ft three-bed duplexes are in choice positions facing the salmon weir. These cost £380,000 and £385,000, respectively.
The development is on the Old Chapelizod Road, around two miles from the city centre and bounded by the Phoenix Park on one side and a wooded stretch of the River Liffey on the other. The river side of the block looks directly out on a very picturesque salmon weir, with a small public park on the opposite bank. The outlook will almost certainly never change - a valuable feature in the midst of the current building boom in Dublin.
Selling agent Ross McParland will be taking bookings from its Donnybrook offices today and the show unit will be on view this Saturday and Sunday. Long-established builder J J Rhatigan & Co has built the scheme on behalf of Mantwood Investments and it is Mantwood's first venture in apartment development.
The standard of finish at The Salmon Pool is top class - to be expected at this price level. The uncluttered design of the block's exterior with steel flower balconies is softened by the timber Rationel windows of Scandinavian pine.
All the units have oak floors throughout and polished limestone floors in the kitchens. Here, the cupboards are beech and include a full range of Neff appliances, with oven, hob, dishwasher, steel microwave, washing machine, fridge and deep freeze.
The apartments have different layouts depending on their position within the block. A typical three-bed unit has a wider-than-usual inner hall, leading to a large sittingroom with two floor to ceiling bay windows. The fireplace is classic-style oak with steel trim and glass mantle tops. There is plenty of space for a dining table by one of the windows. Good quality white sanitary ware in the main bathroom has unusual chrome fittings.
The three bedrooms, two doubles and one single room, come with fitted wardrobes and oak flooring. The main bedroom has a good-sized en suite shower. One three-bed apartment on the ground floor has French doors from the sittingroom out to a lawn bordering the river.
One remaining three-bedroom duplex apartment has the living areas and a main bedroom upstairs facing the river, with a larger balcony to enjoy the view. All the units have standard down-lighting in the hallway and sittingroom, television points in most rooms. Electronically-controlled security gates and a video intercom system are also installed.
The entrance to The Salmon Pool is secluded behind a tall cut-stone wall. Lawns are laid around the block, leading through mature beech trees to the river bank. Outdoor lighting and cobbled walkways are part of the landscaping programme.
