Apartments by St Helen's Hotel priced from £155,000

KEEN interest is expected at the launch this weekend of the final phase of Seamount, an upmarket apartment development at St Helen's, Mount Merrion, Co Dublin, that attracted brisk sales when it was first put up for sale September last. Although 100 of the 140 apartments were sold at the initial launch off the plans, the final 40 coincide with the opening of the show apartments for the first time.

Hooke & MacDonald is the selling agent for this Shannon Homes development. Prices range from £155,000 to £169,000 for the one-bedroom apartments, £220,000 to £255,000 for the two-bedroom apartments, £265,000 to £295,000 for three-bedroom apartments and there are three penthouses for £400,0000 to £650,000.

Builder Shannon Homes has been responsible for many high-profile developments in Dublin over the past three decades, including Mount Sandford on Milltown Road; Kempton, on the Navan Road; Temple Square, Rathgar; Talbot Lodge, Blackrock; Vernon Heath, Clontarf; Donnybrook Castle, Donnybrook; and Belfield Park, Mount Merrion. Seamount, built beside the recently opened Radisson SAS St Helen's Hotel, at Booterstown, Co Dublin, is a prime south Dublin location. UCD, Belfield, is just across the Stillorgan Road and the shopping and seafront amenities of Blackrock village are a short walk. Residents can get the DART from Booterstown or bus to town from Mount Merrion.

The Galway firm, O'Malley Construction, is also building 80 apartments beside the new Radisson hotel.

Many of the Seamount apartments have the benefit of overlooking the beautifully landscaped gardens of the new hotel. Site boundaries are fringed by mature trees and the development is secluded from public view, save for a glimpse through from the nearby Foster brook Estate.

Architects McCrossan O'Rourke have designed the Seamount apartments in seven blocks around a large landscaped green area with a central fountain and flower beds. At the entrance to each apartment block, there is a wooden pergola with clematis and other climbers already showing growth. The exceptional standard of design and specification, high quality fittings and spacious living accommodation are the main features of the development, says agent Ken MacDonald. Other special features include extra large balconies, attractive maple and cherrywood kitchens and a beautiful timbered site well sheltered from the main road.

Entrance to each apartment block is through solid oak double doors with engraved glass panels on inner doors. The one-bedroom apartments are priced from £155,000 to £169,000. These have an entrance lobby and good-sized bathroom with quality fittings, including a figured glass shower screen and gold-plated taps.

The double bedroom has a range of fitted wardrobes and the livingroom has a timber surround fitted with a coal-effect gas fire. This opens to a large balcony with an overhanging metal canopy. The kitchen is off to one side of the livingroom and has Smallbonetype units and room for a small dining table. A feature of this development is the provision of double doors to all the livingrooms, which can be opened out to allow air to circulate and to create a feeling of spaciousness.

The two-bedroom apartments have a more spacious entrance lobby and bathroom, with high quality fittings and tiling as standard. The livingroom is larger with a similar fireplace and roomy balcony. The dining area and kitchen are off the sittingroom, with Shaker-style kitchen cupboards of maple. Both bedrooms are doubles, each with ample storage space. The main bedroom has an en suite shower room.

The three-bedroom apartments are at the end of the block, and have feature porthole windows in the kitchen and one of the double bedrooms. This apartment is the size of a modest bungalow, with a spacious square-shaped livingroom, cupboards in the hallway and two balconies in most of the apartments. There are two double bedrooms and one single, all with plenty of wardrobe space and the main bedroom is en suite. Double doors to the livingroom have very attractive leaded glass panels. Double doors also lead to the diningroom and kitchen, which has an unusual porthole window and cherrywood units with chrome fittings.

The development has already begun to mature and would suit families with children at nearby UCD, returning emigrants and retired couples looking for an apartment close to the city.