The first private development of new homes and apartments to be built on Dorset Street in Dublin's north inner city for decades is going on the market today. Agent Hooke and MacDonald will be taking bookings for the first phase of 12 houses, 26 two-bedroom apartments and 12 one-bed apartments in a scheme to be known as Derrynane Square.

The development fronts on to Dorset Street and Innisfallen Parade (where Sean O'Casey lived between 1882 and 1888) and Synnott Row, Dublin 7.

The Cosgrave Homes scheme, due for completion by February of next year, will have a total of 113 apartments and 26 period-style townhouses and two courtyard areas.

The 800 sq ft two-bed townhouses cost £215,000 (#272,990), while one-bedroom apartments with an average of 450-490 sq ft are from £144,950 (#184,050). The two-bed apartments of 600-700 sq ft are from £164,950 (#209,440).

The development is designed to blend in with the area's l9thcentury houses and buildings. As is the local style, the townhouses have front doors opening on to the street. Two-bedroomed, they have a third, small upstairs room which could be used as a study/bedroom. There is also a family bathroom.

Downstairs there is a livingroom, cloakroom and kitchen/ breakfastroom. The houses have granite window sills, and the teak front doors have fanlights into which the house number has been worked in lead.

The show-house on Innisfallen Parade is bright, with the kitchen/breakfastroom to the front. It has white-painted fittings, white tiling and a stainless steel sink. The livingroom, to the rear, has a wood-surround fireplace with cast-iron inset and coal-effect electric fire. A door leads to a storage area under the stairs.

Patio doors lead to a cobble-locked, landscaped patio. This has a brick wall surround and gate to the communal courtyard, which is due to be landscaped.

The bannisters, like the front door, are in teak, while the main bedroom has a bank of built-in wardrobes with an alcove for a television. The second bedroom also has fitted wardrobes.

The apartments will be predominantly two-bedroom, with a small number of one and three-bed units. These will be located in three buildings - two have three storeys, and one is a five-storey over basement car-park. They will have a pedestrian entrance off Dorset Street and vehicle access through security gates off Innisfallen Parade.

The show-house is at 80 Innisfallen Parade, with the sales office next door. The apartments are being sold off the plans.