Investors have not had much scope recently to buy into the city centre, though developments are beginning to come on stream. The whole Docklands area has been ear-marked for redevelopment with the DDDA planning to go ahead with 186 apartments in six blocks alongside the Citibank complex. Construction could begin in January. Meanwhile, Chesterbridge Developments plans to take bookings early in the new year for the next phase of its apartment scheme on the site of Sheriff Street flats which will bring the total number of units up to 600. The first residents of Custom House Square have begun to move in and about 270 homes are due to be completed by the end of the year.

Bookings are being taken for the first phase of 175 apartments to be built on the site of the Adelaide Hospital, in Dublin 2, while another 300 are planned for the Smithfield area. Temple Bar Properties are holding an open-day tomorrow for apartments in Saul's Court, which qualify for Section 23 relief. Owner-occupiers will have first preference.