One of Ballsbridge's oldest apartment complexes is looking forward to a radical facelift if an ambitious refurbishment plan, sanctioned by a majority of the 90 owners, is approved by Dublin City Council.

Ballsbridge Court, on Serpentine Avenue, was built in the 1970s and has been showing its age in recent years. The four buildings within the complex need to be upgraded and many of the facilities will have to be replaced due to old age.

Ballsbridge Court Management, the company nominated by the apartment owners to manage the complex, has been reviewing the options open to it to undertake the necessary repairs and improvements.

In the past, any major projects have been funded through levies with owners paying a lump sum on top of their annual service charge.

This was considered by the company but proved to be the least attractive option, according to chairman, Tom Kirwan. "Owners would still be left with an apartment in a tired looking building that would require additional piecemeal repairs in the years ahead," he explained. As an alternative proposal, the company retained MVK Architects and engineers N J O'Gorman & Co to consider the feasibility of building new units and using the proceeds from their sale to entirely fund a comprehensive modernisation.

It is now proposing to build 24 new units, 20 of which will be built above the existing four blocks, with four duplex units in the car-park. "If it is approved Ballsbridge Court will still be a relatively low density apartment complex, with 114 units on 1.8 acres," Kirwan said.

It is designed as a not-for-profit scheme.

"The refurbishment will not yield a windfall payment for the 90 owners. It aims to be a self-funding means to significantly enhance the entire complex," according to Kirwan.

All of the owners will benefit from refurbished common areas, larger lifts, a new heating system and new windows.

"It will be akin to living in a new building," Kirwan says. Subject to planning approval, Ballsbridge Court Management, could enter into a joint venture with a developer to undertake the project.