Milltown: from €360,000Apartments with a difference in the old schoolhouse and in a circular modern block make the final phases of Mount St Anne's in Milltown, D6, as exciting as the first. Kate McMorrow reports

In some new schemes, where the refurbishment of institutional buildings are part and parcel of the development, the best comes at the end. This seems the case with Mount Saint Anne's at Milltown, Dublin 6, where the old primary school has been converted into stylish apartments.

In contrast, the circular steel and glass new-build block is unashamedly contemporary, creating an interesting architectural tension between new and old. O'Mahony Pike architects is responsible for design. Communal landscaping is really special, with fountains, very tall mature trees and swathes of parkland.

Mount Saint Anne's has been a resounding success for Park Developments and selling agent Hamilton Osborne King. This phase comprises 44 units in a mix of houses and apartments. Twelve beautifully converted apartments in the former primary school are likely to fly out the door.

Prices, from €365,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in a circular modern block, are pitched at second-time buyers or those looking for a more manageable base within easy reach of the city centre.

Top quality interiors and an unusual number of standard fittings mark this scheme out as one of the best in the city. Sanitary ware and bathroom accessories are in the luxury bracket, floor tiles and wide-plank pine floorboards are included in several of the unit types and SieMatic kitchens come with appliances.

On offer this week in the circular building are four large 50-55 sq m (545-589 sq ft) one-bedroom apartments on the ground and first floors of the redbrick former school. These start at €365,000. Eight two-bedroom apartments of 72-137 sq m (777-1,399 sq ft) cost from €480,000.

The gently curved nature of the rooms in this building is most attractive and balconies of glass, slabs and pebbles are a really good size. Large windows maximise the impression of light and space. At the top of the building are two bright duplex penthouses, each with two bedrooms, terrific open-plan upstairs living areas and huge south-facing roof terraces - €920,000 or €995,000 will buy one of these.

Buyers who like the atmosphere of a period building will appreciate The Old School House, where prices start at €395,000. Stamp duty, unfortunately, is added on because this is not new-build, but it has been renovated to a very high standard. Doors are solid and panelled, walls are also panelled to dado height, door furnishings are brass and porcelain and bathroom ware is old-fashioned, but brand new. Cast-iron fireplaces are installed in sittingrooms.

One of the nice things about this building is the sheer variety of apartment styles on offer. The best unit is a two-bedroom apartment that looks like it may have accommodated the headmistress.

This has two entrances, one opening to a small lobby and the bedroom wing and a second door leading into the sittingroom.

The latter is airy and light-filled from five windows, including French doors to a decked balcony.

A cast-iron fireplace and painted panels to the dado rail emphasise the schoolhouse background. This one costs €600,000.

Two mezzanine one-bedroom apartments open into a wide hall and large sittingroom with a good-sized kitchen off. A decorative spiral staircase curves up to the mezzanine landing, where there is one double bedroom and a full bathroom - €420,000 buys this apartment type.

Two smart modern penthouses have been added to the top of the School House block. Priced at €750,000, they have contemporary interiors, with simple steel-framed fireplaces set in to the sittingroom wall, sleek SieMatic kitchens and great balconies which open from the sittingroom and main bedroom.

There are 20 two and three-bedroom terraced houses, 14 in a pretty courtyard and six in a cul-de-sac which backs onto this. The high standard of fit-out continues here. Smart black and white fully-tiled bathrooms have wide showers and heated towel rails.

Courtyard houses start at €560,000 for 14 72-108 sq m (774-1162 sq ft) two-bedroom houses and €660,000 for three 87 sq m (936 sq ft) three-bedroom houses. A few of the two-bedroom houses have the living area upstairs and a balcony, the rest have a conventional layout with a small landscaped garden and shed.

Three-bedroom houses in the cul-de-sac, priced from €650,000, also have a landscaped back garden and garden shed. Bathrooms and wardrobes are in cherrywood and vanity units are granite-topped.

Allocated car-parking spaces are included in the purchase price in all cases. Annual management charges have not yet been set. Completions are due to begin in September, according to Hamilton Osborne King. Viewing is today, tomorrow and over the weekend.