A glamorous new apartment development, De Vesci House, is being launched by Hooke & MacDonald this weekend on the site of the former Top Hat ballroom in Monkstown/Dun Laoghaire. In recent years, a children's play centre, the Fun Factory, operated on the premises. In the initial phase, 20 one, two and three-bedroom apartments will be on offer; there will be 48 apartments in the building when the scheme is completed. Prices range from £159,000 for a one-bedroom apartment at 500 sq ft, £200,000 for two bedrooms of 700-800 sq ft and £285,000 plus for three-bedroom units measuring about 950 sq ft.
Of the 48 apartments in De Vesci House, 36 are two-bedroom units, four are three-bedroom units and there are eight one-bedroom units. One circular three-bedroom duplex penthouse is available in this first phase, with 1,075 sq ft and priced at £575,000. Some single-level penthouse apartments will be for sale in a later phase. Car spaces for each apartment are included. The location is one of this development's strongest selling points. Sites on Dublin's south coast are becoming a scarce commodity with record prices being notched up for properties with sea views between the city and Killiney. Some of the apartments have views over the West Pier and Dun Laoghaire harbour.
De Vesci House is a five storey building facing on to Longford Place with frontage on to the coast road. Architects Niall D Brennan & Associates have designed the scheme with a nautical theme. The apartments face either on to a private landscaped courtyard or to the street and some have dual aspects. Features include a dramatic double height entrance lobby, two lifts serving all floors from the underground car-park, a security intercom system and extensive landscaping that includes timber decking and a water feature.
Developer Dorville Homes has built some of Dublin's best-known schemes, including St John's Wood in Sandymount and Castlelands in Dalkey. The apartments vary in design, taking advantage of the best views. As a rule, the onebedroom units have a long livingroom/diningroom with a Shaker-style maple kitchen partially screened from view. Some of the two and three-bedroom apartments have attractive curved walls and extended livingrooms.
