Leopardstown: from €345,000A development of apartments and duplexes is being launched today next to Bewley's Hotel in Central Park. Kate McMorrow reports
Location and a strong specification will increase the pulling power of Vantage, a significant new apartment development launching from plans today at Central Park in Leopardstown, Co Dublin.
This is the latest project by Lalco, whose Chocolate Factory in Kilmainham was one of last year's runaway successes.
The new scheme is sited next to Bewley's Hotel in Leopardstown, Co Dublin. Launching today from plans, through joint agents Sherry FitzGerald New Homes and Hooke & MacDonald, are the first 80 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and three-bed duplexes.
Vantage will have a total of 480 residential units. Units in phase one are expected to be ready from early 2008. Deposits will be taken from today at a marketing suite set up at the Lower Baggot Street offices of Hooke & MacDonald, where images, a model and video of this ambitious project will be on view.
Prices start at €345,000 for one-bedroom apartments of about 47sq m (510sq ft). Two-beds of 73sq m (785sq ft) cost from €445,000, while three-bed apartments of 91sq m (980sq ft) start at €535,000. Duplex units with about 96sq m (1,030sq ft) are from €530,000.
Leopardstown's office parks are swiftly being transformed into desirable residential locations, with great letting potential for investors.
Transport is good and values could shoot up when the Luas extension to Cherrywood is completed - a Luas stop is proposed at the Vantage site. It is already close to the Luas terminus in Sandyford Industrial Estate across the road and next to Leopardstown Race Course, with its West Wood fitness club and nightclub.
From eight to 15 storeys high and designed by Henry J Lyons & Partners to be largely car-free above ground, Vantage will have convenience stores, restaurants and cafés on the ground floor. A pedestrian tree-lined avenue will separate the office and residential elements of the new park. This "boulevard" will widen in the centre to form a landscaped plaza which is expected to be a focal point for the development.
Specification will be of a very good standard, with solid oak entrance doors, floor-to-ceiling glass in livingrooms and bedrooms, bathroom underfloor heating and integrated Neff kitchen appliances.
In addition to the appliances, kitchens will have smart polished stone worktops, brushed chrome sockets and ceramic floor tiles. Bathrooms and shower rooms will feature Italian sanitary ware with concealed cisterns, a hydro shower, wall and floor tiling, towel rails and accessories and vanity units.
Wood flooring will be laid in living areas and porcelain tiles in hallways. Bedrooms will come fully carpeted and wardrobes or walk-in closets will be included.
Good-sized balconies or terraces will have timber decking and glass balustrades. Optional parking in an underground car-park costs extra.
Outside, communal areas will be landscaped and lit. Vantage has been designed in staggered levels, to facilitate views of the city and Dublin Bay. A video entry-phone system will be installed and a concierge service will be in operation.
