Gallops scheme entersthe final straight

Dublin 18: from €315,000Prices have been reduced in the latest phase of The Gallops, one of Dublin's longest running schemes, writes Fiona Tyrrell

Over 17 years in the running, the final stage of The Gallops scheme in Leopardstown comes to the market this week in the form of two blocks of apartments.

Following the example set by other developers this season, Park Developments has reduced prices at The Gallops by as much as much as €92,000 for some units.

The 49 apartments in Mimosa Hall and the 250-unit Levmoss Hall, being released this week, are an extension of Levmoss Park which came to the market just over 12 months ago. Prices have been pared back by an average of €73,500.

One-bedroom apartments at Levmoss Park cost from €370,000 back in 2006, now one-bedroom units at Mimosa Hall and Levmoss Hall cost from €315,000 - down €55,000.

Two-bedroom units cost from €398,000. In November 2006, two-bedroom own-door apartments cost from €490,000 - a €92,000 reduction.

First developed in 1991, The Gallops has been a big success for Michael Cotter. The 150-acre site stretches from from the Murphystown Road in Sandyford down to the M50.

The land was separately owned by racing trainer Séamus McGrath and the British government, whose ambassador still lives in Glencairn.

Avenue names and apartment blocks in The Gallops are named after horses who were once trained on the land.

The Gallops is almost entirely composed of good solid family homes, but development has intensified on the last slice of land and houses have made way for apartments, duplexes and townhouses.

One, two and three-bedroom apartments in two modern blocks are on offer this week through selling agent Savills Hamilton Osborne King.

Three show units will be open for viewing on site. Apartments have above-average space and standard finish is impressive. Bathrooms are a good size and have attractive marble and timber vanity units and extensive tiling.

All units have good storage, large hot presses, recessed lighting and natural gas underfloor heating. Kitchens have granite worktops and more storage than normal, including a pull out larder.

All units at the scheme are larger than average. The one-bedroom homes are 50sq m (539sq ft) and have good sized bedrooms and a decent living/kitchen space.

A small room off the kitchen has space for a tumble dryer and shelves.

There are two types of two-bedroom units on offer. The most impressive is the 90sq m (969sq ft) corner apartment which has a square living space and adjoining kitchen area.

The other type of two-bedroom unit has marginally more space, at 91sq m (983sq ft), but it seems smaller and suffers from a rather elongated living/kitchen area.

All two-bedroom units have a large storage room off the kitchen. Three-bedroom units measuring 106-129sq m (1,148-1,388sq ft) are dual aspect and cost from €525,000.

The Gallops is a pretty car-dependent scheme at the moment, but residents can look forward to the arrival of the Luas green line extension in 2010, which will bring three stops to the area at Glencairn, The Gallops and Leopardstown Valley.

Units at Mimosa Hall and Levmoss Hall are ready for occupation, according to the selling agent.