Apartment Living: Developers now include many extras to secure sales. Edel Morgan reports
Competition is stiff between developers of new apartment schemes and, once again, they are resorting to the lure of the quality fit-out to offload units - which can only be good news for buyers.
The extent of a developer's generosity is usually determined by the state of the market - the last time they were throwing in extras with abandon was post September 11th when first-time buyers needed a nudge off the fence.
Some were going to the lengths of offering a complete furniture fit-out with apartments - a great bonus for a cash-strapped first-time buyer as long as you don't mind having the same furniture as all of your neighbours.
Appliances were usually part of the package in those bountiful days but, as soon as the market got back on its feet, the freebies began to dry up.
Now it appears the cycle is starting again. In areas where a number of new developments are vying for attention, developers are having to make their scheme stand out.
The last four developments I visited displayed remarkable departures from the dreary norm.
Gone was any trace of the shaker-style kitchen - once a given. One of the developments - Archers Wood near Blanchardtown in Dublin 15 - offered a choice of five kitchen units and co-ordinating granite worktops and chrome handles with wine storage rack. It was pitched at the first-time buyer but had a state-of-the-art chrome touch cooker control, of the kind normally seen only in luxury penthouses. If that wasn't enough it was wired for a sound system.
Another development - Drynam Wood in Kinsealy, Co Dublin - has contemporary silver-grey units and chrome appliances come as part of the package. Upper floor apartments come with good-sized decked balconies with a chrome and glass surround.
Prices are also becoming more attractive. A scheme in Clonee, Dublin 15, recently marked a return to the two-bedroom apartment under €200,000. Penthouses under €300,000 are the cheapest in Dublin. Wall tiling is high-spec and small details, such as door handles and ribbed skirtings, are not skimped. In the penthouse, two sets of French doors open to generous roof-level balconies.
Portobello Wharf in Dublin 8 was another breath of fresh air, although aimed more at second-time buyers. The design was imaginative with a sliding panel door from the livingroom to the monochrome kitchen. Contemporary white fitted units have a gleaming black granite worktop and splashback and integrated appliances. The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and a mosaic-tiled shower en suite. The second double bedroom has fitted wardrobes.
Unsurprisingly, sales of these developments went well, with buyers appreciating any extra effort put in to the design and fit-out of an apartment.
Some developers still need to improve on the level of storage they provide in apartments. Apartments at Spencer Dock, which will be built in two years, have four storage areas off the hall area - buyers dazzled by shiny fit-outs should not forget practicalities.
