The Oaks in growth area

Swords: from €237,000: First-time buyers familiar with MKN's popular Ridgewood development at Forrest Road, Swords, will be pleased to hear of a new phase launching this weekend with joint agents Hooke & MacDonald and Morton & Flanagan.

Show units for the new phase, named The Oaks, are opening at noon today for 29 two-bedroom apartments priced from €237,000. Sizes are good at 66 - 77 sq m (710 - 835 sq ft) and the location close to the entrance of this leafy development is excellent. Nearby is a creche, medical centre and new Tesco Express shop.

There are three different styles of layout at The Oaks. Eleven corner apartments of 79 sq m (835 sq ft) costing from €250,000 and including en-suite showers will be the first to go, judging from reaction in earlier phases at Ridgewood.

Indeed, the general impression on entering Ridgewood is one of maturity and attention to detail and a great sense of space. This development is located in one of the best parts of Swords, opposite Forrest Little Golf Club and not far from the airport.

The two three-storey blocks are of red brick and render, with glassed-in balconies visually breaking up the facades. A typical two-bedroom apartment opens into a hallway with the living area opening at one end.

The sitting room and dining room are open-plan, with a partly screened kitchen off it.

Sliding doors access a decked balcony or terrace with enough space for a couple of chairs. Kitchen units are cherrywood with dark countertops extending into a splashback. Both bedrooms fit a double bed and smart cherry and ivory wardrobes are included. Neutral wall tiling in the bathroom is part of the sale. Public spaces at Ridgewood are very well planned, with plenty of room for sitting out in fine weather.

Parking is above ground and free, with 50 spaces provided for the 29 units. Annual management charges are approximately €700 for the regular apartments and €800 for larger corner units.

The MKN Property Group have a long-established reputation for home building in the Dublin area and have won several awards, including Development of the Year in the Britannia National Homebuilder Design Awards for a development of 98 residential units at 150 Howth Road, Clontarf.

All 29 apartments are expected to be ready to move into by September and October this year. Viewing is today and Friday from noon to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 2.30 pm to 4.30 p.m.