Buyers queue to get homes in Temple Bar

Ten apartments go on sale today in the west end of Temple Bar in Dublin with prices starting at £135,000 for one-bedroom units. However, most are likely to be sold this morning since buyers have been queueing since last Monday outside the offices of selling agent Ross McParland. The apartments are in The Bookend, a stylish building overlooking the Liffey close to the Civic Offices. The five-storey block will have offices at ground floor level and a small communal park to the side of the building.

In all there are four one-bedroom apartments and six three-bedroom duplexes. First floor one-bedroom units averaging 520 sq ft are priced at £135,000, while those on the second floor will cost £145,000. The three-bedroom duplexes, which vary between 860 sq ft and 1,000 sq ft cost £240,000 and £245,000. All the homes carry full Section 23 tax relief. Designed by Arthur Gibney & Partners, the granite-clad block has an attractive hallway with a glass lift that glides up the front of the building giving a wonderful view of the river. Views aside, the scheme is located in an extremely busy stretch of road although the building has apparently been soundproofed to a high degree to cut down on the noise.

There are two one-bedroom units on the first and second floor. Each has a spacious livingroom with a recessed kitchen and a double bedroom. The units at the front of the building have deep glassed-in bays - winter gardens as estate agents like to call them. Those at the back have access to a small balcony from the livingrooms.

There are two duplex apartments on the first and second floors with the remaining four duplexes occupying the third and fourth floors.

These four apartments are slightly smaller than the other two, but they are the most interesting of all with their wrap around terraces and wonderful views of the city. The three bedrooms are at entry level along with a good sized bathroom. The main bedroom also has a full en suite bathroom. A metal staircase leads to the top floor where there is a large livingroom-cum-kitchen with wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows and access to a long, covered terrace that will act as an extra room in summer weather.

Meanwhile, Temple Bar Properties has had almost 500 inquiries for 180 apartments that are due to be built in the west end of the area next year. Five new schemes are due to come on the market between next spring and next autumn with prices starting at £115,000 for one-bedroom units.