Balcony bliss and mountain views from Rathfarnham penthouse for €500k

Vendors Brian and Cathy can but hope that the sale of their spacious, light-filled Rathfarnham apartment is less tortured than its acquisition. After five life-filled years in 304 Mother Theresa House, the couple are moving to a house with a garden and are able, almost, to look back with nostalgia at the buying process.

Brian Kelly, who is financial controller of shared work spaces company Iconic Offices, explains. "The apartment had been Nama'd so the bidding process was complex. There were three parties bidding, we went to €385,000, had it for a day until it went up to €390,000. The Nama sale process meant lots of approvals, then a six-month delay – by which time the other bidder had moved on. We then got it for €390,000 and moved in in December 2014."

The view was of greatest appeal, says Kelly. “That and the peace and quiet. We’re at the back of the building and hear absolutely no traffic. Plus there was the size of the livingroom and the fact of there being glass on three sides and full light all day long.”

The apartment block was completed in 2006 and Brian and Cathy have given number 304 an “overhaul” since moving in. “Especially the bathrooms, where we put in new tiles. We installed new lighting throughout and replaced flooring with commercial grade laminate. We tiled in the kitchen and put in new countertops.”

Agent Owen Reilly is seeking €500,000 for the penthouse apartment with 98sq m (1,055sq ft) of floor space including three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a south-facing livingroom, kitchen and dining area. Storage space in the entrance hall is a definite plus, as are the secure underground car-parking spaces.

The livingroom is eye-catching in every sense. The floor-to-ceiling windows are wood trimmed and a cool beige décor highlights the sweep of views towards the Dublin mountains. The wraparound terraces add an outdoor dimension and are inviting enough “to use all the time to barbecue, eat and party without being overlooked”.

The kitchen is galley-style with white fittings, bedrooms bright with wood-trim windows and bathrooms good sized and beige tiled.