Shannon Homes's residential development at St Gabriel's in Cabinteely, Dublin 18, comes to a spectacular close with the launch of 15 apartments in a period house which was formerly St.Gabriel's Hospital.
Prices start at £210,000 (€266,640) and £290,000 (€368,220) for two and three-bedroom units in the restored house, which is at the centre of the St Gabriel's development. This prime location overlooks communal parkland, which is shaded by old copper beeches and evergreens.
Selling agent Hooke & MacDonald will be showing the apartments by appointment from today.
Many original features in the three-storey house, such as tall windows and floral plasterwork, are in excellent condition. Some of the units have ceilings over 12 ft high, adding to the sense of spaciousness.
The St. Gabriel's development was well received by the buying public when first launched 18 months ago, following a protracted planning process. The houses and apartment blocks are now all occupied, mostly by families and traders-down. Mature trees at the gated entrance have been preserved, new landscaping is beginning to spread and already there is an air of permanence.
Early-bird viewers will have a choice of units in the original house, some of which have magnificent plasterwork and tall ceilings. Two apartments are in a new addition to the building.
Granite steps lead to an imposing circular glazed entrance and through to a red-carpeted inner hall with a fine old staircase and splendid ceiling plasterwork.
Sizes range from 800 sq ft to 1,400 sq ft. Prices start at £210,000 (€266,640) for two-bedroom apartments and at £290,000 (€368,220) for three-bedroom units. No two apartments have the same layout. Bathrooms and en suites are a good size, and spacious individual hallways avoid the cramped look of most modern apartments.
Deep cream carpets have been laid as standard in every apartment and walls are painted in a paler shade of the same colour. Fireplaces are mostly old-style timber, with marble mantlepieces in the first-floor units. A brushed-steel lift serves all floors.
Living areas in first-floor apartments benefit from tall three-window bays, crisp decorative cornicing and lofty 12-ft ceilings. One apartment created out of the original ballroom is particularly dramatic in scale.
Sash windows retain their period brass fittings and marble fireplaces have been installed. Traditional cream-painted kitchens are either open-plan with a living/diningroom or separated by double doors.
Fitted wardrobes have not been included in apartments in the original house, the developer deciding to leave space for a free-standing armoire - more compatible with the period.
Second-floor apartments have attractive curved ceilings which are lower than the ground floor rooms and without the decorative plasterwork. One of the largest units at this level, however, should attract a great deal of interest.
This is a split-level three-bedroom apartment with a huge bow-windowed "garret-style" living area. Immediately inside the door, a short flight of stairs leads to an inner hall with space for a desk and chair. The main bedroom with en suite is a few steps down from an inner hallway, while two further bedrooms are at the other end of the apartment.
One of the two-bedroom ground floor units is in the former kitchen and is very bright, with three sash windows in a wide bay and a kitchen off the livingroom.
Free parking for residents is at the front and side of the house. The grounds and common areas are maintained by a management company, at a cost of £900 (1,143) and £1,000 (€1,270) per unit.
To access the site, turn left off the Stillorgan dual carriageway at Cabinteely village and St. Gabriel's development is a short distance farther on the left.
