Ringsend regulars may well be wondering whether a new floor has sprouted on top of Treasury Holdings' Alto Vetro apartment block at the corner of Pearse Street and Grand Canal Basin.
Fear not, tis merely a temporary glass showroom plonked on top of the 16-storey apartment block for the glitzy launch of the new 7 Series BMW.
The seven tonne showroom and accompanying two tonne beemer were hoisted into place over the bank holiday weekend for a two-week launch party for upmarket BMW garage clients.
For the two weeks before the official launch of the car next Saturday around 400 potential buyers are being wined and dined in one of Alto Vetro's master-of-the-universe penthouses enjoying a menu from Ranelagh's Mint Restaurant.
A free lunch and knockout views are the least you could expect for a car that costs €115,000 (without extras)!
Meanwhile, lettings at Alto Vetroare going reasonably well: 18 of the 26 apartments at Alto Vetrohave been let, according to letting agent Sherry FitzGerald. Rents are €1,950 to €3,000 a month for two-bed units, depending on the floor. Bird's-eye penthouses cost €8,000 per month.
Be warned. The apartment block was built without any parking and it's highly unlikely, 7-series or no, that you will be permitted to park your car on the roof garden.
Photograph: Paul Leonard
