‘Like living in the sky’: Dublin docklands penthouse for €1m

You can see see the sun rise and set every day from the terrace and windows of part-penthouse number 78 Millennium Tower on Charlotte Quay in Dublin 4’s south docklands.

“It’s like living in the sky,” says its owner. “You see spectacular colours, pinks and oranges every single morning and evening. I think it’s one of the best views in Dublin.”

And it just might be. On a clear day you can see all the way across Dublin Bay from the Baily lighthouse at the tip of Howth Head all the way south to Dun Laoghaire harbour, its east and west piers protruding into the water like fingers.

Further south again is the peak of the Sugarloaf in Co Wicklow with a plethora of landmarks in between ranging from Dublin Port as you’ve never seen it to the Poolbeg towers and the incinerator.

But even on a day when the wind might whistle around the building like a banshee – you are up on the 14th floor of one of the first glass and steel edifices constructed here in the Dublin docklands in 2000.

This is a space where you can observe secure in the knowledge that while you can see all, there is no-one who can see you. “You can watch storms blowing in and when we had the heavy snowfall a few years ago it was amazing to watch it from such a height,” the owner recalls.

The apartment is described as a part penthouse, that is its open-plan living dining kitchen is on the top floor but there are further floors above its two bedrooms.

The living space, which has floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides, also enjoys a wrap-around terrace that faces north, east and south and extends to about 30 sq m (322 sq ft). The southern side looks across to Boland’s Mills and beyond to the Aviva Stadium which looks positively back-lit on a sunny day.

The kitchen area is relatively neat in size but the assumption here is that with so many eateries literally on your doorstep you probably aren’t going to do a lot of cooking. The owner admits to never cooking, preferring to go to Herb Street every morning for his breakfast.

He bought the 123 sq m (1,323 sq ft) property in 2018, paying €891,500 for it, according to the property price register. Last year he upgraded it by insulating all its cavities, resealing all the glazing and upgrading the electric heating system so that it now has a C3 BER rating.

The property has two double bedrooms. Both are dual aspect. The smaller has a door with a cat or tea cup dog-sized flap to the terrace and private use of the full-size bathroom. The building is dog-friendly.

The main bedroom, with smart shower ensuite, is situated across the hall and extends almost the depth of the unit boasting enormous windows on its two exterior walls. From here you can see the dome of the church in Rathmines all the way across to the Convention Centre, designed by Pritzker award-winning Irish American architect, the late Kevin Roche.

At night you can enjoy the ambient illumination of Red Sticks, the iconic design by landscape architects Martha Schwartz Partners, or use the remote control to drop the slim whiteout blinds to plunge the room into darkness.

The property is seeking €1 million through agents Owen Reilly. Annual management charges are €3,175 and includes two car spaces.