A smart development of large two-bedroom apartments on the edge of Naas town go on view for the first time this weekend when bookings are to be taken for the initial tranche of homes now virtually completed.
Ballymore Homes has pitched prices at a competitive level from £131,950 (E;167.541) for ground floor units, making them exceptionally good value for buyers looking for an elegant country home within easy reach of Dublin city. Sales will be handled by local agent Colm McEvoy.
Ballymore is one of a small band of builders with an impeccable record for producing original designs and high quality finishes. Oak Glade Hall is no exception. It is hard to think of anything to match it.
It is a low-density development with only eight apartments per block. The seven blocks are being built around a landscaped courtyard with lots of space and generous planting to give the place colour and maturity. This should be easily achieved given the elevated site and the lovely rural setting.
Many of the homes are likely to be bought by commuters working in Dublin, now less than 30 minutes drive on the N7 motorway. The apartments are within easy walking distance of Naas, just off the motorway on the Blessington Road and close to Craddockstown Golf Club.
Last March Ballymore tested the apartment market in Naas when it developed 18 two-bed units on an adjoining site.
All of them sold rapidly and one of them was bought by the Irish international footballer Niall Quinn. Ballymore also had a similarly satisfactory response when it launched 56 attractive three and four-bed semis and four and five-bedroom detached homes on the adjoining Oak Glade site.
According to Gerry Whelan of Ballymore, they are expecting planning permission for another 56 three and four-bed semis and as soon as this comes through they will be taking bookings for the next phase.
The larger than usual apartments now going on the market have an average of 750 sq ft of floor space including an absolutely terrific livingroom-cum-diningroom.
The architect has kept the kitchen separate but it has been done in a clever open-plan style that should have instant appeal.
There is the usual excellent range of maple floor and wall units from Country Kitchens and plenty of space for electric appliances.
All the units are bright and cheerful and have double doors leading out on to ground floor patios and flower balconies on the first-floor level.
The main bedroom comes with an en suite shower room and unlike most apartments in Dublin, there is a useful storage area off the entrance hall. Both bedrooms have double wardrobes with drop down fronts. Interior designer Colette Ward has introduced a crisp, modern style using textures and decorative details rather than strong colours to provide an elegant background to modern living.
There are electronically controlled gates to the development and an intercom link to each home.
The first phase of apartments will be ready to move into almost immediately and the remainder will be ready over the next three months. To keep costs down, ezhome (www.ezhome.ie) is offering a mortgage and legal convenancing service for £575 (E;730.10).
