The wraps come off some of Galway city's most stylish homes today when O'Malley Construction releases a group of large four-bedroom townhouses in a prime location at the upper end of Salthill. The 13 houses now nearing completion are priced from £230,000 for mid-terrace units to £245,000 for more spacious end-of-terrace homes and are among the best in the present wave of new homes developments. The Dun na Carraige development will have a mixture of apartments and townhouses on a 15-acre site adjoining Galway golf course and Salthill promenade, a popular year-round swimming and walking area.
The site is acknowledged as one of the best available in the city; it is also one of the last tracts of development land between Salthill and Barna, where some of the most expensive houses in the west are located.
Earlier this year, at this site, 13 detached houses with floor areas of 2,400 sq ft were sold off the plans at just under £400,000 each. And there has been heavy demand for four blocks of apartments which will overlook both the golf course and Galway Bay. Only a few of the 50 apartments are still available at prices from £170,000.
O'Malley is also taking bookings for 30 duplex units, which will be ready for occupation next spring. Two-bedroom ground-floor apartments with 700 sq ft are priced at £170,000, while the overhead three-bedroom duplex units with 1,000 sq ft will cost £215,000. The fit-out will be of the same high quality as the houses now for sale.
Most of the houses are likely to be bought by owner-occupiers trading up or down, says Helen Casserley of O'Malley Construction.
The four-bed homes have been built around a courtyard, one of four planned. Though only 13 houses are being released at this stage, the development will eventually have 35 ranging from 1,225 to 1,345 sq ft.
The interior of the show-house reflects the increasing demand for generous proportions and high-spec finish. The reception rooms provide a mixture of formality and elegance and will appeal particularly to families who value good reception rooms for entertaining.
The livingroom has a huge bay window, a granite fireplace and two stained-glass panelled doors opening into a good sized diningroom.
The kitchen is one of the strong features of the house. It has a range of Shaker-style wall and floor units and polished granite counters. It doubles as a breakfastroom and opens into a conservatory overlooking the rear garden. All the houses have rear entrances.
The high-class finish in the kitchen and bathrooms, and the hardwood doors, skirting, architraves and staircases are all standard. .
The upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms are equally impressive. The main bathroom has an overhead natural light, as well as an identical electric light. The marble wall and floor tiles are particularly attractive.
There are similar fittings in the en suite shower room off the main bedroom, which has virtually a full wall of wardrobes. It opens out on to a balcony enclosed with tinted glass. Two of the bedrooms are doubles and two are singles.
