THE first phase of a beautifully located apartment development on the edge of the River Liffey beside the Phoenix Park in Dublin 8, goes for sale off the plans today through agents Hamilton Osborne King.
Only 19 of the 117 apartments in the Riverpark scheme at Conyngham Road in Islandbridge are being released at this stage and these are likely to find buyers quickly because of the mature waterside location close to the city centre. The agents will have the use of a model and brochures when they take bookings at their offices today. One-bedroom apartments with 470 to 670 sq ft will start at £129,950 while two-bedroom units with 625 to 790 sq ft will be priced from £165,950.
The apartments are being built by Capel Developments, which has become a major player in the Dublin apartment market. It is currently completing some of the most stylish city apartments at the former British Embassy, at Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, and is due to begin work shortly on other apartment schemes at the old Linden Nursing Home, Blackrock, and at Dunstaffnage, Stillorgan.
Capel's reputation for high specification finishes and attention to detail should ensure that apartments in Riverpark will appeal to investors as well as owner-occupiers. The homes will occupy one of the last great sites on the northern side of the Liffey, wedged between a redbrick office block owned by Ryanair and the little used railway line that runs under the Phoenix Park.
On the opposite side of the railway bridge there is a large apartment and townhouse development, Bridgewater Quay, which has matured exceptionally well since it was built about eight years ago. The layout and design of Riverbridge makes full use of the two-acre site which slopes down to the river. The three apartment blocks under construction will range in height from four storeys along Conyngham Road to eight storeys fronting on to the river. A strong selling point is that most of the apartments will face south over the Liffey towards the Dublin mountains in the distance. The remainder will be focused on the Phoenix Park, particularly the area around the Wellington Monument.
Ronan O'Driscoll of Hamilton Osborne King will be taking bookings at a later stage for eight penthouses with 1,000 to 1,400 sq ft of floor space and stunning views that will stretch from the city to much of west and south Dublin. The scheme will also include a number of duplex units with double height windows to capitalise on the great views along the river. Car-parking will cost an additional £7,000 and a lift will serve all floors. For many residents, the closeness of the Phoenix Park will be a huge draw. Capel will be creating attractive walks along the river bank and open landscape areas for sitting out during the long summer evenings.
Apartments will have large windows overlooking the river and most of them will also have good-sized balconies for al fresco dining. According to the developers, the interiors will reflect the increasing demands for generous proportions. Kitchens and bathrooms will be fitted out to a high standard. The launch comes at a time when there is a considerable shortage of new apartments in good areas of the city.
