Dundrum/from €625,000: Handsome penthouses and apartments nearby go on sale today. Orna Mulcahy, Property Editor reports
It's become a trend for housebuilders to sell apartment blocks from plans but to hold on to the penthouse level until the building is finished so that buyers can see what they get for their money on the top floor.
Such is the case with Wyckham Place in Dundrum, Dorville Homes' new scheme close to the Dundrum Town Centre between Wyckham Way and Ballinteer Road. The majority of the apartments were sold off plans last year to coincide with the opening of the town centre.
However, the final phase of this handsome scheme includes several penthouse units as well as large three-bedroom units that are ready to move into.
Prices start at €625,000 for a two-bedroom penthouse rising to €1.5 million for the fully-furnished three-bedroom penthouse show unit which has 148sq m (1,600sq ft) of living space, at least 37sq m (400sq ft) of balcony and a superb westerly aspect.
Hooke & MacDonald is also selling 30 apartments at neighbouring Southmede, where two-bedroom units start at €490,000 and three-beds begin at €570,000. A limited number of one-bedroom units are priced from €390,000.
The developments are situated opposite one another in a high profile position on either side of the Wyckham bypass, within easy walking distance of the nearby Luas station at Balally and the town centre.
Buyers are likely to be a good mix of those who have grown up in Dundrum and want to stay in the area, as well as investors who appreciate the location and transport links, as well as the obvious quality of the development.
The Southmede apartments are being sold from show units in Wyckham Place. First impressions count and it's clear that this is a quality scheme where a lot of attention has been paid to detail and finish. It's also a pleasantly low density development with immaculate grounds landscaped by Cunnane Stratton Reynolds and an attractive outlook over the playing fields of St Tiernan's secondary school next door.
The best outlook of all is from the three-bedroom show penthouse - a superb duplex with balconies at two levels, and a double height corner livingroom that's exceptionally spacious and glamorous.
The upper level has a vast high-ceilinged open-plan living/diningroom opening directly to the kitchen with its sleek wenge units, beige granite worktops and integrated appliances. A vast island unit can be used for casual meals though there is also space for a diningroom beyond.
There is good utility space and storage at this level, as well as a grand entrance hall and access to a wide patio that's ideal for entertaining. Downstairs, which has its own separate entrance, the bedrooms include a swish main bedroom suite with its own sheltered balcony.
The high spec finish here and throughout the apartments include Italian pod bathrooms with quality sanitary ware, chrome switches throughout, an advanced cable network to allow purchasers to receive broadband throughout the apartments, and wiring for home cinema surround sound.
There is gas-fired central heating throughout, though the fully tiled bathrooms have electric underfloor heating.
The apartments in Southmede are well proportioned and relatively spacious. One-bedroom apartments with 54-61sq m (580-650sq ft) are priced from €390,000; the two-bedroom apartments with 69-83sq m (740-890sq ft) are from €490,000 while three-bedroom apartments with 89-106sq m (950-1,140sq ft) are from €570,000.
Purchasers will be able to move in to Wyckham Place immediately whereas the first completions will be this summer for Southmede. Dorville Homes has completed some of the best known residential developments in Dublin over the last two decades, including De Vesci House in Monkstown, Marley View, Rathfarnham and Cranmer Place, Haddington Road.
