AroundtheBlock

Property joke falls flat in Belfast   What have the Irish done to offend Middle England? You would have to wonder reading this week's Property Week published to coincide with the sell-out conference of the British Council of Shopping Centres in Belfast earlier this week.

The UK magazine is widely read by the property establishment across the water and this week they were treated to a large scale cartoon which suggests that Dublin is far too dangerous a place to do business in, with one of its characters blustering that it's an economic disaster zone "ridden with gangsters and terrorists". It seems the joke is really aimed at Belfast where, most of the magazine's readers had assembled this week, but the Dublin brethren were none too happy. In fact, the Irish stands were among the liveliest at the three-day show which showcased a range of new shopping facilities opening in the UK and Ireland. No fewer than seven Irish developers took stands including Joe O'Reilly who was marketing the second phase of Dundrum Town Centre, as well as his new shopping mall on South King Street; solicitor cum property developer Noel Smyth who spent three full days promoting an extension to The Square in Tallaght; and Sean Dunne who was on hand to sign a number of lettings at the Whitewater Shopping Centre in Newbridge, having decided to hold onto his 50 per cent share in the €400 million complex.

With over 2,000 delegates booked into the conference the city's hotels were fit to burst. Those who got into the chi-chi Malmaison hotel on Victoria Street had the unusual experience of finding not one but two condoms beside their bed instead of the usual goodnight sweetie. A staff reception told guests that they might get lucky and that they believe in "playing safe in Belfast".

Wait for Elysium

It's been a busy week for Christies estate agency in Donnybrook where Richard O'Sullivan and Matt English have been inundated with calls about the classy Elysium development on the corner of Leeson Street and Burlington Road. Christies is handling sales for the joint developers, Eileen Monaghan represented by her son Neil, and Frank Gormley's Howard Holdings. Most agents are pleased to sell straight away following a launch - in this case a champagne reception for 150 in the gloriously refurbished houses, but in this case, the eight properties will not be sold until all "expressions of interest" have been registered by November 18th. The asking prices range from €1.1 million for two-bedroom apartments, with two townhouses guided at €3 million and two larger houses valued at €4 million each. However, it seems that some expressions of interest have come in at over the asking prices, so it will be interesting to see the levels they do achieve later this month.

Danger over dinner

With the dinner party season almost upon us, buyers beware: word has reached us of a scurrilous form of gazumping. Here it is: young buyer who has agreed terms to buy house for sizeable sum, tells friend who casually mentions it at a dinner party he attends later that evening. Next day another guest at the dinner calls the estate agency and offers a higher price and, you've guessed it, the owner - having agreed to sell - opens bidding again. The first guy loses the house. If you are in the middle of a deal, say nothing, especially to your friends. Bon Appetit!