Landmark Navan apartments beside the Boyne

Co Meath: from €205,000 "Only an hour from Dublin" is a familiar catchphrase to radio listeners of a certain generation. Moving with the times, the former Crannac Furniture Co-op is set to be converted into a residential and retail development named Academy Square.

Today's commuter will find the journey takes a little longer, although this will change when the road system is upgraded or the rail line reinstated. Agent T&J Gavigan Real Estate Alliance will be taking bookings from plans for phase one at Academy Square this weekend. The event takes place at the Palace Nightclub on Ludlow Street, Navan this Saturday and Sunday.

This is probably the most important development launched in Navan in recent times. The site, off Academy Street, is at the entrance to Navan on the Dublin side, one of the best locations in town with views over the River Boyne.

Nearby, large houses set back from the road are the most sought-after in the area.

Prices range from €205,000 for 47.5sq m (512sq ft) one-bedroom apartments. Two-bedroom apartments of 70sq m (753sq ft) cost from €238,000. Two-bed penthouses of 76sq m (818sq ft) are priced from €310,000. A complete fit-out and rental management service is being offered to investors, priced at €7,950 or €10,950 depending on the standard required. Underground car-parking is included in the price.

A total of 132 apartments are being built on the site, with the first 60 on release this weekend. Completions are from early summer 2006 onwards.

Architect John Fleming, developer Malibu Properties and Glenbrier Construction have devised a curved U-shape for the seven interlinking blocks that comprise the Academy. One of these is intended for office use and a crèche is planned, while retail units are planned on the ground floor of another block. Residents are within walking distance of the town centre.

River Boyne views will be superb from most apartments. Each unit comes with a decked balcony and a landscaped roof garden will be located in an end block. Gardens along the entrance drive and in the centre of the development will be fully landscaped.

Standard features at Academy Square include custom-designed kitchens with a full range of electrical appliances, floor and wall tiling and quality bathroom ware with high-pressure showers. En suites are included with most two-bedroom apartments. Wardrobes will also be standard items.

Heating will be natural gas and sittingrooms come with a contemporary fireplace. Security intercom and lifts are also planned. Three apartments per floor will provide a degree of privacy.

Exteriors will be modern with glass, steel and render echoing the curved glass office building which promises to become a design landmark in Navan. Navan has emerged as a major Dublin commuter town - around 60 per cent of young buyers come from the city.