Phibsborough from €245,000: A 75-unit development which backs onto the walls of Mountjoy Prison has been designed so that all the apartments look out over the Royal Canal. Bernice Harrison reports.

Phibsborough locals will know that giving this new northside apartment scheme the name Dakota Court isn't quite as fanciful as it might first appear.

That's because the smart looking new 75-unit development stands on the site of the old Dakota printworks - a massive and fairly grim-looking industrial structure that once occupied nearly one side of the Royal Canal between Cross Guns Bridge and Drumcondra Road.

Its replacement, a four-storey apartment scheme which goes on the market this weekend, is a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units with prices ranging from €245,000 for ground floor one-beds to €550,000 for a three-bedroom penthouse.

Achitects O'Mahony Pike had quite a challenge on their hands because of the sensitive location of the site. It backs on to the tall walls of Mountjoy prison, so Dakota Court had to face out almost completely onto the canal. For buyers, that means that just about all of the apartments look onto the canal, which is a plus, but it has a downside as it also means that the apartments are all off long corridors - something that some buyers might find off-putting.

The one-bedroom units range in size from 43-51 sq m (467-546 sq ft) and in price from €245,000 to €260,000. Most are at ground floor level and open out onto a narrow decked area that separates them from a public walkway along the canal.

They have decent-sized kitchens which, like all apartments in Dakota Court, don't have windows but gain natural light from a large strip of glass blocks that let in light from the livingroom windows.

The architects have repeated a design they have used in other schemes, including Dodder Bank in Milltown, where the bedroom opens off the hallway but also features double doors that open into the livingroom.

The available two-bedroom units range in size from 57-116 sq m (614-1,248 sq ft) and in price from €328,000 to €525,000. These have two large double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes; one bedroom has an en suite bathroom and there is also a separate shower room, a kitchen and a bright livingroom overlooking the canal.

Most two-bedroom units have decked balconies. The larger two-bedroom units, usually at penthouse level, also have utility rooms.

There is only one three-bedroom apartment still available and, at €550,000, it is the most expensive one in the development with 119 sq m (1,283 sq ft). It's a penthouse with dual aspect over the canal and towards Cross Guns Bridge.

As well as these apartments, there are also four own-door duplexes at the side of the building. These have between 81-110 sq m (868-1,181 sq ft) and are priced from €373,000 to €412,000.

Apart from the narrow balconies there isn't a great deal of outdoor space but, when the scheme is finished, there will be a small private landscaped courtyard.

Three lifts in a light-filled atrium that is the height of the building service the upper floors and the basement car-park.

Car-parking is extra at €20,000 per space and is situated under the building.

Two apartments have already been sold. The builder is South Dublin Construction and the agent handling the sale is GPK Properties.

Show apartments will be on view this weekend from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.