Mature setting for city apartments

Dublin 9/from €460,000: Twenty two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses go on sale from plans today at Hampton Lodge, a new scheme under construction in the grounds of a former convent on Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.

Sherry FitzGerald New Homes is taking bookings and displaying plans at its Morehampton Road, Donnybrook offices.

This is the second phase at Hampton Lodge and demand could be strong, given its central location.

Prices start at €460,000 for the smallest 65sq m (700sq ft) two-bedroom unit, stretching to €850,000 for three-bedroom penthouses. Apartments with two bedrooms and a study cost from €475,000. The penthouses from €850,000 have three bedrooms, 123sq m (1,324sq ft) of living space and larger balconies.

When finished, Hampton Lodge will consist of two smallish blocks, with 110 apartments in total. Landscaping will include semi-mature trees and pathways, with internal planting creating a winter garden effect under a triple-height glass atrium.

This promises to be a high-spec development with an on-site caretaker, so will probably attract a number of downsizers within the locality. The four-storey blocks of two-toned render will have large glass balconies and penthouses slightly set back from the main facade.

Residents will enter the buildings via a glass core to their own apartment door, with no long corridors to negotiate. Inside, specification is strong, with full height windows and kitchen appliances included with the price, although only for buyers who sign contracts within 21 days. Kitchens will be modern high gloss in cream, with granite worktops and splashbacks, ceramic floor tiles and downlighters.

Bathroom ware will be good quality, with thermostatically controlled showers, wall-mounted heated towel rails, floor and wall tiling and downlighters. Heating will be natural gas and apartments will come pre-wired for broadband internet. Parking will be underground and unobtrusive.

Annual management fees are set at €1,650 for two-beds and €1,990 for three-bed units. Completions are expected by autumn this year, according to the selling agent.