New apartments in 18th century setting

With the second-hand housing market in Dublin barely ticking over, selling activity appears to be significantly stronger in the new homes market, particularly for infill schemes in good locations. Understandably, the Ross McParland agency expects to find buyers this weekend for many of the 43 apartments and mews houses on offer at an interesting development in D·n Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Eaglewood, at Rochestown Avenue goes on show this Saturday for the first time with prices for two-bedroom units ranging from £205,000 (260,350 to 317,500) to £250,000.

The landmark scheme at the junction with Johnstown Road is within walking distance of the Killiney shopping centre, and a few minutes drive from the dual carriageway at Cabinteely.

It's an ambitious development, built in the grounds of an 18th century house, originally called Flower Grove. The house, now converted to six apartments, is flanked by a strikingly contemporary block on one side, and a cluster of mews houses on the other. All overlook a central landscaped garden with a terraced water feature running through it.

Work is due to begin shortly on a final block at the back of the site which is due for completion towards the end of 2002, according to selling agent Eamonn Foley. These will be offered for sale next year. The development adjoins a small riding stables with a view from the upper floors over a field where the horses are exercised.

Around 15 of the existing apartments have already sold from plans, including three in the old house, one of which incorporates a superb drawingroom. So far most of the interest has been from owner-occupiers, although investors are likely to be waiting in the wings for next week's budget when Minister for Finance Charlie McCreevy may announce a relaxation of the Bacon measures.

All the units, including the mews houses, are two-bedroom, and almost all have a different layout so viewers will need to study the floor plans closely. Several apartments have been decorated and furnished in an upbeat, contemporary style, to give viewers an idea of how they might look.

Architect Patricia Mangan has designed the scheme to allow as much light as possible into the apartments. Almost all the livingrooms have floor to ceiling windows - many of them leading to either patio decks or balconies. Indeed, windows of all shapes and sizes dominate the scheme, and add real charm to even the smallest units.

The units are larger than average with floor areas ranging from 740 sq ft to just over 1,000 sq ft. A typical layout has two average-sized double bedrooms - one with an en suite shower room - and a very spacious livingroom with interesting decorative details.

Each has a fireplace, set into a "floating" chimneybreast with concealed shelving behind. Storage is good throughout the apartments, with double wardrobes in the bedrooms, roomy hot presses in most units, and rows of fitted shelves wherever space allows. Kitchens are good-sized, and appliances are to be included.

There are several different kitchen styles, with sleek contemporary units in the new apartments and mews houses, and more traditional-style painted kitchens in the old house. Other features include solid timber doors with quality ironmongery, extensive tiling in bathrooms, and attractive communal entrance halls.