Apartments in convenient new city quarter

Dublin 17: from €235,000 A modern complex in a new neighbourhood near Malahide has a wealth of facilities nearby, writes Property Editor, Orna Mulcahy

A new neighbourhood is taking shape on the Malahide Road in Dublin 17 beside the recently opened Hilton Hotel.

Just a few years ago this part of the city was open countryside, but now construction is underway on hundreds of houses and apartments in the area, while a new civic plaza and public park are planned for a large site opposite the four-star Hilton.

Northern Cross is the name of a new €450 million development which includes the hotel and which will eventually have 700 homes, as well as a business park, retail and a childcare centre.

The first 50 apartments go on sale today through Hooke & McDonald with one-bedroom apartments starting at €235,000, including secure underground car-parking.

The scheme is being built by Walls Residential - the development arm of PJ Walls, one of the country's most reputable building firms.

A marketing suite beside the Hilton overlooks a new landscaped boulevard that sets the complex back from the traffic and provides an attractive outlook from the front-facing apartments.

Designed as a series of six-storey blocks set around landscaped gardens, the complex has been designed with varying roof heights to add interest and to provide a range of outdoor spaces for residents, both private and communal.

One-bedroom apartments from 46sq m (500sq ft) are priced mainly from €235,000; two-bedroom units with 68-82sq m (730-880sq ft) start at €275,000; while three-bedroom apartments with floor areas of 89-108sq m (955-1,160sq ft) are priced from €310,000.

The block with show units has a superb full height atrium hallway, and wider than average corridors on the upper floor. The high-spec fit-out includes smart Italian-style fitted kitchens with appliances included, good-sized bathrooms with quality sanitary ware and tiling, generous storage space, and both car-parking and bicycle spaces for each unit included in the price.

Each apartment will have a balcony with space for a table and chairs, while a small number of corner two-bed units have extensive decked balconies with enough space for a party. The scheme will also include lots of communal garden space as well as rooftop gardens.

One block of units is entirely finished with residents expected to move in by November. Work is underway on a further phase of apartments which are due for completion by the middle of next year.

The location will appeal to owner-occupiers because of the wide range of facilities all around. Six miles from the city centre, and four from the airport, Northern Cross is less than 10 minutes drive from Malahide village with its restaurants and boutiques.

The proposed new Dart station between Howth Junction and Portmarnock will be within reach, while across the road is the Clare Hall shopping centre with its 24-hour Tesco and the Total Fitness gym complex.

Potential buyers will also be drawn by the presence of the four-star Hilton on the site. Though only open since June, it's already attracting a solid business clientele.