Dublin's largest new housing development in recent years, Waterville, in the former grounds of Blanchardstown Hospital, opens its doors to viewers for the first time this weekend.
Joint agents Hamilton Osborne King and McPeake Auctioneers will be selling 52 units in the first phase of the scheme - a mixture of one and two-bedroom apartments, two and three-bedroom duplex townhouses and two and three-bedroom townhouses with private gardens. Prices range from £129,950 (€165,000) to £185,950 (€236,110).
The developer is Adroit, a company owned and run by builder Martin Lydon and his family. Castle Riada in Lucan and Avoca Hall in Blackrock are among the Lydons' best-known schemes. The 110-acre partly-wooded Blanchardstown site, originally sold for over £36 million, will eventually accommodate 1,520 residential units, with construction spread over a five-year period. One part of the site, for 344 units, has been sold off to another developer, Newlyn Construction.
Just one of the one-bedroom apartments is available at £129,950 (€165,000) and most starter units range from £133,000 to £138,000 (€168,880 - €175,220). Two-bed apartments and duplex townhouses are the most common in this phase, from £145,000 (€184,110) for apartments and from £157,000 (€199,350) for duplex townhouses. Three-bedroom duplex townhouses start at £171,500 (€217,760). Two and three-bedroom townhouses with private gardens are from £162,950 (€206,900) and £185,950 (€236,110), respectively.
Catherine O'Connor of HOK expects the new scheme to generate a good deal of interest, particularly among first-time buyers and people moving in from satellite towns. Thirty units have already sold off plans, mostly to young purchasers. The first cluster of units - named Tory Square - will be ready to move into between May and October of this year.
Space is a major attraction, with less than half of the 110-acre site used for housing. Sixty acres will be retained as parkland, with existing groves of chestnut, ash and beech augmented by rose beds, shrubberies, grassy areas and an ornamental lake.
Each duplex townhouse will have balconies and the shared use of a small planted garden, while apartments have good-sized balconies.
Of huge interest will be the new Campus Ireland sports complex which is due to be built on a nearby site. An indoor swimming-pool, water sports centre, golf and tennis academies and an indoor athletics track are among the facilities planned for the new centre. At some later date, a Metro rail system is envisaged for a site adjoining the Waterville scheme on Snugborough Road.
Alternate roof lines, very large balconies and Brady Shipman Martin's attractive landscaping make for an eye-catching combination. While closely grouped for design reasons, planning permission was granted before the guidelines on density were announced and there is plenty of space between the blocks.
Exteriors are of old-style "rumble" brick and cream-painted render, with grey metal balcony rails and cobbled courtyard fronts. Each cul-de-sac will be flanked by two three-storey blocks of duplex townhouses and apartments with a four-storey block closing in the far end. A central planted area will break up the expanse of cobblelock.
The units are good-sized and there is no evidence of skimping. Kitchen electrical equipment is included and expensive Italian ceramic wall tiles are used in kitchens and bathrooms. Higher than average ceilings are coved and some of the balconies are big by any standards.
A 764 sq ft two-bedroom apartment costing from £145,000 (€184,110) has four windows in the sittingroom and a stone fireplace with gas coal-effect fire. The kitchen/diningroom with Shaker-style units has French doors to a balcony or small terrace. Another balcony off the main bedroom links with the kitchen. There is one good single bedroom and one double, and a large bathroom. Some apartments have a central hallway and smaller kitchen.
Typical two and three-bedroom duplex townhouses sited above ground floor apartments have access from generous balconies to a private rear garden. Two-beds are 882 sq ft and three-bed units are 1,097 sq ft, and prices start from £162,950 (€206,900) and £185,950 (€236,110).
These have very bright sittingrooms and large kitchen/diningrooms with fitted appliances and doors to large flagged terraces. A mesh dividing screen affords privacy from next door's balcony and a curved staircase leads down to a shared garden. The main bedrooms are en suite and include a pretty French-style flower balcony. A few two and three-bedroom townhouses have their own private gardens. Prices are from £162,950 (€206,900) for 882 sq ft two-bedroom units and £185,950 (€236,110) for 1,097 sq ft three-bedroom townhouses.
The Waterville site can be accessed either through Blanchardstown village and across the M50 flyover or via the M50 turn-off for Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. The development is right beside the M50 junction and a pleasant walk from the village centre, past the perimeter of the hospital grounds. There will be five show units open this weekend and visitors can also view a scale model.
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