Beacon South prices in Sandyford down

New apartments in Beacon South Quarter are back to 2005 prices, writes Bernice Harrison

A NEW PHASE of the impressive Beacon South Quarter development in Sandyford, Dublin 18, comes on the market this week with prices reduced to 2005 levels.

This was when the massive 100-acre Landmark development was first launched and at that time buyers were buying off plans.

Even less than two years ago, 200 apartments were sold off the plans within 24 hours, with some buyers queuing overnight.

Times are very different now and prices for the phase being launched this week by Sherry FitzGerald New Homes start at €365,000 for one-bedroom apartments, with two-beds starting at €385,000.

(In 2006, two-beds were selling from over €400,000). Car-parking is extra at €23,000 (reduced from previous levels).

The plus for buyers now is that they can clearly see what they are getting in Beacon South, not just in the very smart show apartments but also in the surrounding area, which has come on remarkably in the past three years - and they can also see the whole concept behind The Cubes, as the apartment blocks in Beacon South are called, in action.

For a start, there is a 24-hour concierge - still an unusual feature in Dublin apartments - and a vast communal reception area that looks like the lobby of a very cool upmarket hotel.

The apartments are built over shops, and these are mostly now filled with an interesting and attractive mix of retailers from upmarket furniture shops to banks, a pharmacy, a supermarket, wine shop, restaurants, clothes shops, hairdressers etc.

It's not all retail, there are offices too, but the most striking building is the amazing-looking new interactive children's museum, Imaginosity, which is in the central courtyard of the Cubes.

To date over 550 apartments (out of an eventual 750) have been completed in Beacon South Quarter and already the area has an established, albeit very contemporary, feel.

The apartments, designed by Traynor O'Toole Partnership, feature particularly high specifications.

The kitchen areas, which are large by typical apartment standards, are well planned with glossy black units and stainless steel appliances.

In the bathroom and en suite there is floor-to-ceiling marble tiling with underfloor heating and the wiring throughout is sophisticated, with pre-programmable mood lighting, fibre-optic internet capability and satellite TV.

Floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies increase the feeling of space. There are two-bedroom duplexes (with two balconies) as well as same-floor two-bedroom units where both bedrooms are a good size. There is also a communal, nicely landscaped roof garden.

Thirty of The Cubes apartments are being released today. These are mostly a mix of two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom duplexes.

The 62-78sq m (667-840sq ft) two-bed apartments start from €385,000 and the 75-82sq m (807-883sq ft) two-bed duplexes start from €390,000.

The few one-bedroom apartments, ranging from 52-55sq m (560-592sq ft), are from €365,000 and the 141sq m (1,518sq ft) three-bedroom duplexes range in price up to €750,000.

FACTFILE

NAME:The Cubes, Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, D18

NUMBER OF APARTMENTS:30

PRICES, SIZES:52-55sq m (560-592sq ft) one-beds from €365,000; 62-78sq m (667-840sq ft) two-beds from €385,000; 75-82sq m (807-883sq ft) two-bed duplexes from €390,000; 141sq m (1,518sq ft) three-bed duplexes up to €750,000

FEATURES:24-hour concierge and hotel-style reception lobby; floor-to-ceiling marble tiling in bathrooms and en suites with underfloor heating; pre-programmable mood lighting; fibre-optic internet capability. Wide range of shops in complex; across road from Luas.

AGENT:Sherry FitzGerald New Homes

WEBSITE: www.SherryFitz.ie