Malahide: from €495,000: These modern and sassy homes should appeal to young, professional, locals, writes Kate McMorrow
Causing a stir in the run-up to today's launch is a small development of three and four-bedroom houses off Swords Road, Malahide. Modern and sassy with a striking 21st century look, the three-storey houses at Lissadell Wood are likely to appeal to the village's young professional population.
Sherry FitzGerald New Homes will be taking bookings from noon today for the first 18 houses at this new scheme by Collen, one of the longest-established construction companies in the country. The RDS Main Hall and Howth Yacht Club are two of the company's best-known projects. CPM Architecture is responsible for design at Lissadel Wood.
Prices start at €495,000 for 12 three-bedroom townhouses measuring 1,470 sq ft (including a decked 160 ft roof terrace). Six four-bedroom end houses of 1,640 sq ft ( into the roof terrace) cost from €550,000.
Viewers will be impressed by Pamela Collen's stylish showhouse interior, which includes a number of design features only seen in more expensive new properties. Most notable are attractive steel fireplaces with pebbles and elegant bowl sinks in the bathrooms. Kitchens are superb and wardrobes by Dublin firm Cawley's are worth a second look.
The site on Swords Road, just past Estuary Road, is bordered by tall trees on two sides, giving the impression of maturity. With 54 units in the entire development, this is a fairly small, intimate scheme.
Wide entrance gates with side pillars in stone and granite give a good first impression. Exteriors are of render, painted zinc and glass, with windows framed in Scandinavian pine.
Very large windows create plenty of natural light in both house styles. Light and plug sockets are satin chrome, downlighters are installed throughout and the houses are pre-wired for a surround sound TV and HiFi system. Large roof terraces in addition to private back gardens are an unusual aspect which will attract buyers.
Highest demand will probably be for the 12 three-bedroom townhouses, which vary in layout. One style has the kitchen to the front, with a large sitting/dining room overlooking the back garden. Next door has the opposite layout.
A typical three-bed house has a smart kitchen/breakfast room in ivory with steel borders, white worktops and brushed glass cupboard doors. A full range of steel appliances is included as standard.
The steel and pebble fireplace set into the wall is the main talking point in the sitting/dining room, which is a good size and faces the back or front garden, depending on juxtaposition.
Up-to-the-minute kitchens have glide-out cupboards and steel appliances, with enough space for a breakfast table and a utility room fitted for laundry use. A downstairs toilet has a bowl washbasin on a dark wood plinth and good quality tiling. Two double bedrooms on the first floor each have fitted wardrobes and the main bathroom is also here.
On the second floor, a main bedroom suite with en-suite shower room has the benefit of a broad roof terrace.
The four-bedroom houses are of a similarly high specification, with larger roof terraces and room dimensions.
In this house style, the main bedroom with en-suite is on the first floor, together with a second double bedroom.
Off the next landing are two good-sized single rooms, one of which could just fit a double bed. The smaller room might double as a study and the roof terrace opens off the landing.
A full planting programme for the grounds is planned, with a central open space and fine perimeter trees.
Individual back gardens will be levelled and seeded and fronts cobbled, with low shrubs marking the boundaries.
Houses sold this weekend will be ready to move into from summer this year onwards. Annual management charges are expected to be €500 for three-bedroom and €600 for four-bedroom houses.
Viewing takes place today, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3 pm to 5 pm.
