Newbridge: Four and five-bedroom detached houses in Newbridge, Co Kildare - half an hour's train ride from the city - might suit families looking for more space than can be afforded closer to Dublin.
Almost half of the 50 units originally for sale at Walshestown Abbey have been reserved from plans, mostly by local buyers. In this weekend's launch, the remaining 28 are on the market, with showhouses open for viewing.
Jordan Town and Country is handling sales. Prices start at €390,000 for 15 four-bedroom detached houses with 186 sq m (2,000 sq ft) of accommodation. Five-bedroom 232 sq m (2,500sqft) detached houses cost from €475,000. A third style of four-bedroom house has sold out from plans.
About two miles east of Newbridge off the Athgarvan Road and convenient for the N7, Walshestown Abbey has been designed by developer Roseberry as a child-friendly estate with cul-de-sacs, private gardens and a central play area. Four-bedroom detached houses are designed in a pretty cottage style, with dormer windows and a low roof line. The five-bed houses are substantial, with double bay windows and half-brick frontages.
Standard features throughout include small-paned hardwood windows, two en suite bedrooms and energy-conscious timber-frame construction. Allowances are provided for kitchen, fireplace, tiling and wardrobes.
In the four-bedroom house, €3,400 is allowed for a kitchen, €1,200 for a fireplace, €1,200 for tiling (including labour) and €1,000 for wardrobes. This seems on the low side and buyers will probably have to augment this sum to achieve the standard of the showhouse fittings.
Allowances are higher for the five-bedroom houses, at €6,000 for a kitchen, €2,200 for a fireplace, €1,800 for tiling and €1,500 for wardrobes.
Both houses have the benefit of two sittingrooms and large kitchen/breakfastrooms, with a separate formal diningroom in the larger five-bed units. Driveways will be tarmaced and front and back gardens levelled and seeded. Tree planting and landscaping around the site is also planned. Construction is well under way and houses booked this weekend will be ready to move into from December this year onwards. Showhouses are open for viewing this Saturday and Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
