The final phase of Leinster Park, a development of new houses adjacent to Harold's Cross greyhound track in Dublin 6 goes on sale today. The first 40 houses were sold earlier this year and this phase also comprises 40 redbrick terraced houses. Prices range from £385,000 for the standard four-bedroom three-storey units with 1,510 sq ft to £500,000 for the two 1,700 sq ft four-bedroom three-storey houses.
Architects McCrossan O'Rourke have adapted the upstairs layout of the new phase in response to feedback from house-hunters. Some viewers of the first phase said that while they wanted the flexibility and square footage of a four-bedroom house, they didn't really want to use the fourth room as a bedroom. So in these houses, the two large rooms on the first floor are now facing each other, one to the front of the house, the other at the back.
One of these is the main bedroom, which has fitted wardrobes and an en suite, which can also be accessed from the hall. The other is a large room, laid out as a reception room in the showhouse, which could equally be used as a home office or playroom.
There are two more bedrooms on the top floor. Both are small doubles with dormer windows. There is also a shower room on this level. Downstairs, there is a reception room to the front of the house with a bay window and a feature fireplace with a gas fire.
The kitchen/diningroom, at the back of the house, is spacious, with a selection of units on three sides. The dining area has glazed doors opening on to the back garden, as well as a picture window and a Velux window. There is a guest lavatory off the hall.
Outside, there is a very small back garden and a cobblelock parking area to the front.
THESE houses feel very spacious inside, probably because they are built over three storeys and have relatively good-sized halls and landings. They are also attractive, with bay windows to the front and dormer windows in the roof. The new layout makes these houses more interesting than many new homes, and they are very close to town.
The final phase is at the back of the large Leinster Park site, closer to the greyhound track. One of the terraces seems very close indeed, with back bedrooms that offer a bird's eye view of the track. This means that as well as having a ringside seat on race nights, residents will have to put up with the glare of the spotlights and presumably some noise close to their back bedroom windows. Developer Garland Homes has landscaped the site so that the first phase looks almost mature, despite having been lived in for only six months.
The houses are being sold by Hooke & MacDonald, with viewing beginning today from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
