Dublin 8: Apartments in Portobello Wharf are bright, ultra-modern and comfortable. Fourteen launched today are priced from €295,000. Edel Morgan reports.

The refreshing thing about Portobello Wharf, a new apartment development by Dion Properties overlooking the Grand Canal walk in Dublin 8, is that it is a little bit different to the norm.

Located at Harold's Cross Bridge, there are 14 apartments in the scheme for sale from today with prices for one-bedroom 44 sq m apartments (470 sq ft) from €295,000.

Two-bedroom 72-92 sq m (775-990 sq ft) apartments are priced from €395,000.

A further seven houses will be completed next year.

Hooke & MacDonald is the selling agent.

Even the façade of Portobello Wharf is not what you would expect of an apartment block. Sleek cream-coloured honed granite is softened by the addition of untreated Green Oak timber framed balconies which will eventually turn to a silvery-grey.

External windows and doors are made of untreated iroko timber and a prominent box window, made of iroko timber and copper, overlooks Grand Canal bridge and Clanbrassil Street.

The design by de Blacam & Meagher architects also ensures the best use is made of the available light and space in each apartment.

Although apartment sizes vary, the two-bedroom show apartment gives an indication of what you can expect in terms of layout and finish.

The look is ultra-modern and minimum fuss.

Instead of the usual mantelpiece, the livingroom has a stainless steel-surround gas fire built into the wall with lots of shelving on either side.

The flooring is laminate white oak and the walls are crisp white. Tall timber-framed windows and a door to the balcony allow south- facing views of the Canal and surrounding area while on the other side of the livingroom, there are small glass block windows on either end of the wall.

The pièce de résistance is the sliding panel door from the livingroom to the monochrome kitchen.

Contemporary white fitted units have a gleaming black granite worktop and splashback.

The gas cooker and hob, dishwasher and washer/drier are standard to all apartments. A door leads out to the balcony.

The main bedroom also has a door to the balcony, a walk-in wardrobe and a mosaic-tiled shower en suite. The second double bedroom has fitted wardrobes.

Italian glass mosaic tiles cover the walls of the main bathroom which also has black granite shelving, a heated chrome towel rail and chrome bathroom fittings. The floor tiles are matt mosaic.

The one-bedroom apartment is similar in design except the kitchen is off the livingroom and the sliding panel door divides the livingroom and bedroom.

Portobello Wharf also has a wintergarden or internal street area with a glazed roof, black stemmed bamboo plants and trees and a communal area for socialising.

There is also a roof garden. The apartments are expected to be ready for occupation before Christmas.