New homes: First phase of 130 semi-detached properties in Castleknock

A similar enthusiasm on the part of buyers was evident at the Flynn & O’Flaherty Fairhaven development in Castleknock over the weekend.

Though the official launch is not until this coming weekend, some 15 houses have already been sold and occupied by buyers, mostly locals, who contacted the agent directly. While The Irish Times was viewing on Saturday, and the gates unofficially open, a number of would-be buyers dropped by on the off-chance. They were politely told by the agent to return this weekend.

Some 20 semi-detached, three- and four-bedroom homes remain to be sold at this week’s launch, when infrastructures will be complete. The location, alongside the Phoenix Park’s 55 green acres, is hugely popular, as is the traditional redbrick-with-granite-detail exterior finish.

The Fairhaven site (once a garden centre) is part of a larger site known as the Phoenix Park Racecourse and Lands owned by Flynn & O’Flaherty. A nearby apartment scheme developed by the company sold well in 2006-7. The Fairhaven development is expected to be completed in 2017.

The three-bedroom houses, measuring 103sq m (1,108sq ft) will sell from €500,000 and the four-bedroom version, measuring 124sq m (1,334sq ft) from €620,000.

All have good-sized kitchen/dining rooms, tiled bathrooms and en suites, downstairs toilets, built-in wardrobes, and rear gardens with patios and storage. New owners will get their kitchens tiled, fitted and with appliances. They will be given options for kitchen and hallway tiling.

The open plan design on the ground floor in the three-bedroom house has the sittingroom leading into the diningroom and on to an L-shaped kitchen. Fold-back double doors allow the sittingroom to be closed off; the large, front-facing window overlooks hedging and other plants.

A nice touch, keeping faith with the traditional design, is the white, La Martine wood burning feature fireplace in the sittingroom. This is fully sealed so as not to interfere with the house’s Ber A3 rating.

Two of the three bedrooms are to the front, both with good-sized built-in wardrobes. The main, en suite bedroom is to the rear.

The larger, four bedroom house is similar in style, with variations such as timber panelling in the sitting room and patio doors from the kitchen/diningroom to the rear garden. Viewing today (Thursday), 4.30pm-6.30pm, tomorrow noon-2pm and at the weekend, 2pm-4pm.