For first-time buyers wanting a foothold in coastal south Dublin, or for those downsizing from a bigger property there, an apartment at Olcovar in Shankill may appeal.
Much like neighbouring Killiney, Shankill has a village feel. Olcovar, a development of apartments, duplexes and town houses built around 2005 by Tudor Homes, is just minutes walk from the village’s main street. At launch, own-door ground-floor two-bed apartments here were marketed at € 455,000.
“One careful owner” could be used to describe the seller of apartment 407, a two-bed unit purchased off-plans and lived in by him since. A city-dweller then, he ventured further out to look for a bigger and higher spec first home and this 71sq m apartment, with two bathrooms and great transport links, fitted the bill. He describes Olcovar as “a very quiet place”. Indeed his immediate neighbours, “downsizers from Shankill, Killiney and Bray”, are owner-occupiers too who have lived there since day one. The apartment’s ground-floor location will appeal to first-time buyers with a buggy, or those with plans for one, and down-sizers mindful of accessibility.
The apartment opens into a solid timber floor hall with the main bathroom to the left. The bath, with an overhead shower, will tick a box for young families. This bathroom has a heated towel rail too, and a hotel-like clear-glass vanity unit and sink, a more sophisticated touch perhaps 15 years ago.
Straight ahead is the master bedroom, a good-size double with floor-to-ceiling, built-in wardrobes on either side of the bed. The room has a floor-to-ceiling, east-facing window overlooking the mature, landscaped green. This bedroom has a television point and a shower en-suite too. These features will be a bonus for a first-time buyer wanting privacy while renting out a room to help with the mortgage.
The second bedroom is also a good-size double, again with two sets of floor-to-ceiling built-in wardrobes and a floor-to-ceiling window, also looking onto the green. In the hallway is a hot press for gas-fired central heating with Hive controls and a separate shelved storage cupboard.
The hallway opens into the open-plan kitchen and living area. The smart kitchen to the right with integrated appliances and good storage fits a double-door fridge-freezer. New owners could add a small dining table or breakfast bar – indeed there is a light fitting overhead indicating this was envisaged in the original scheme.
The living area is to the right and the third floor-to-ceiling, east-facing window illuminates the space. This area has a solid timber floor with a raised electric fire and recessed alcoves. Where there are now two bulky sofas, a new owner might opt for a neater suite. A balcony accessed from this area has room for seating and overlooks the grounds.
The owner, now married with children, is trading-up to something bigger and will stay in the area – “Shankill is home now,” he says. “We go cycling up the mountains, hillwalking at Lead Mines, there are lovely walks on the beach, I played hurling for the local club – it’s within touching distance of everything.” For young families, there is a nearby playground and Shanganagh park is a short walk with sporting fields and a path to the beach. St Catherine’s and Rathmichael primary schools are both within walking distance. For golfers, Woodbrook and Old Conna golf clubs are close, too.
The apartment has one designated underground parking space with visitor parking too. For those returning to the commute, there are frequent buses and a quality bus corridor to the city. Olcovar is about a 15-minute walk to the Shankill Dart station. The M50 and N11 are a short drive away. In summer, the owner has cycled to St Stephen’s Green.
Shankill’s neat main street has plenty of shops, a library, café and pubs. With planning permission granted for 600 social and affordable homes at Shanganagh, south of the village, a new Dart station is planned at Woodbrook, north of Bray.
The apartment is C1 Ber rated, has an annual service charge of €1,550 and is seeking €350,000 through agents Lisney.
