Apartments in listed Victorian building

South Dublin: Fine period detail and Italianate surrounds set the tone for an impressive scheme of apartments in a popular south Dublin suburb. Kate McMorrowreports

Very smart apartments are going on show for the first time today in the former convalescent home at Linden, located off Grove Avenue in Blackrock, Co Dublin.

A listed Victorian building, the Mullins Wing's fine period features have been sensitively incorporated into the 10 apartments.

Magnificent corbelling and ceiling plasterwork, decorative carved over-doors, tall sash windows and a baronial main staircase create an exclusive ambiance that will impress viewers. Flooring throughout is wide-plank oak or carpeted, with red carpet on the broad entrance lobby, staircase and landings. The glass lift is impressive and kitchen appliances are included.

Nearing completion and well-landscaped, Linden has been a winner for Capel Developments and architects Brazil Lohan, with a quality finish and good design producing strong sales with each successive phase. The launch of the centrally-placed period building has been eagerly awaited and marks the penultimate phase at Linden.

A flight of granite steps to the main entrance allows good natural light to the garden level apartments. One, two and three-bedroom apartments are distributed three per floor, with one very special loft apartment spanning the entire top level. A glass-walled lift positioned between two corbelled pillars is designed to filter light through from the hallway to the staircase.

Selling agent Hamilton Osborne King is quoting €310,000 for a 45.8 sq m (493 sq ft) one-bedroom apartment on the entrance floor. Two-bedroom apartments ranging is size from 63.6 sq m (684 sq ft) to 116 sq m (1,252 sq ft) cost from €410,000 to €645,000. Three-bed units of 147 sq m (1,589 sq ft) to 299 sq m (1,338 sq ft) are priced from €595,000 to €1.5 million.

The €1.5 million price tag is for the huge top floor apartment, undoubtedly the most stylish penthouse to come on the market for some time. The dimensions of an average suburban semi, this three-bedroom apartment takes up the entire top floor, with the steep Victorian roof lines creating interesting ceiling and window shapes. Interior designer Seán McGrath of In Situ deserves a mention for his understated treatment of the show units, allowing the period details to speak for themselves. The huge penthouse sittingroom, with its grey-painted roof trusses, cream and ivory walls and oak flooring would grace any international design publication.

Viewers will be fascinated by the plasma screen with a realistic DVD of a log fire - an idea for anyone to copy. All three bedrooms have en suite bathrooms with Italian marble tiling and expensive sanitary ware.

Off the main bedroom is a full bathroom and a dressingroom which can be fitted out as required. The kitchen-cum-breakfastroom is also left unfitted, to comply with the owner's taste. A narrow staircase winds upwards to a tiny viewing room with birds-eye views over the ancient rooftops of the Mullins Wing.

While the penthouse is a very attractive space, all the apartments in the Mullins Wing are spacious, with curved sash windows, tall ceilings and decorative door frames. Bedrooms are all doubles, with a full en suite bathroom off the main bedroom. Because of the high ceilings, wardrobes are fitted in the one-bedroom apartment only. Garden-level units have the benefit of a south-facing terrace.

Each apartment includes a basement parking space. The grounds at Linden are designed in classic Italianate style, with raised beds, paved pathways and fountains.

The annual management fee for each apartment in the Mullins Wing is expected to be €1,800, with insurance bringing this to around €2,200. Construction is completed and the apartments are ready to move into as soon as formalities are completed.

Five large detached houses near the entrance gates will go on sale this spring.