High-spec at foot of mountains

Dublin 18 from €375,000:One, two and three-bedroom apartments go on sale this week at RockView, an ongoing Shannon Homes development off Blackglen Road in Sandyford in Dublin 18.

Transport is the key attraction of this scheme, which is in the foothills of the Dublin mountains and strategically positioned beside the M50 - 1.5 miles from the Luas and Dundrum centre. The Sandyford Luas stop is also convenient.

Hooke & MacDonald will be taking bookings for 20 apartments and show units are on view from noon today until Sunday next. Prices start at €375,000 for one-beds of 40sq m (430 sq ft). Two-bedroom apartments of 65-86sq m (695-925sq ft) cost from €495,000. Top-of-the-range are three-bedroom units of 86-100sq m (925-1,075sq ft) starting at €525,000.

The graded RockView site is opposite Lamb Doyle's pub and has good views over the city and mountains. This launch marks the final phase and the site is maturing well, with attractive landscaping arranged in a series of terraced gardens. A granite water feature is a focal point and dense planting is emphasised by external lighting features. Brady Shipman Martin acted as landscape consultants, while McCrossan O'Rourke Manning is the architect.

The apartments are set into the slope at intervals, each block separated by gardens stepping down the hill. A variety of external finishes includes brick, render and timber cladding, breaking up the visual impact of the buildings. Surface car-parking is positioned close to each block.

The apartments vary in size and configuration and each unit is laid out to take advantage of the views. Tall glass livingroom windows allow maximum light. Garden terraces are included with most ground floor two and three-bedroom apartments, while upper floor units come with balconies.

Internal finish is up to Shannon Homes' customary standard, with good quality kitchens, wardrobes and tiling. Bathroom ware is Villeroy & Boch. Most two and three-bedroom apartments have an en suite off the largest bedroom. Heating is natural gas.

Previous developments by Shannon Homes include Donnybrook Castle, St Gabriel's in Cabinteely and Laraghcon, Lucan. This final phase is built, bulldozers have left the site and the apartments currently for sale are ready to move into as soon as the transaction is completed.