With new apartment schemes increasingly dominating the market, a brand new launch of bungalows and townhouses at Johnstown, Co Kildare, represents a refreshing change.
Anyone who knows this charming village, with its Gothic-window cottages and old-fashioned air will appreciate the traditional design of the bungalows at St John's Grove. They are grouped around two tennis courts and a pavilion, with a medical centre, shops and a creche also planned. Hooke & MacDonald is the selling agent.
At tomorrow's launch, buyers can choose from six three-bedroom townhouses priced from £159,950 (€203,095), 12 three-bedroom bungalows from £185,000 (€234,902) and two three-storey four-bed end houses from £199, 950 (€253,884).
The small estate of 50 houses is located right in the heart of the village. A further 32 units are planned for the site.
Standard features are generous, with fitted wardrobes, smart kitchens and tongue and groove upstairs flooring.
Bungalows are a scarce commodity in the new homes market, so the 12 1,285 sq ft and 1,326 sq ft units starting at £185,000 (€234,902) are likely to attract most of the attention at St John's Grove.
Architect Raymond MacDonnell's design is modelled on the older cottages in the village, with teak glassed-in porches and square windows.
Sun rooms/conservatories provide Shaker-style kitchen/diningrooms with plenty of light. Double doors connect sittingroom and hall to a bright open-plan kitchen/breakfast area, which has plenty of room for a sofa.
In end bungalows with side access, an extended kitchen frees up the breakfast area for use as a family room. All the bungalows have shelved utility rooms.
There are two double bedrooms and one good-sized single bedroom. Fitted wardrobes are standard and the main bedroom is en suite. Gardens are fenced and walled to the front.
Interest for first-time buyers will concentrate on six 1,200 sq ft three-bedroom townhouses priced from £159,950 (€203,095). Exteriors have neat overhanging porches and teak front doors with leaded glass panels.
Layouts are traditional. Doors link the sittingroom with a large open-plan kitchen/dining area. There are maple Shaker-style kitchen units and French doors to the back garden.
A conservatory leads off the dining and working ends of the kitchen, allowing for the diningroom to be separated off if required. Upstairs, there are two doubles and one single room, with an en suite off the main bedroom.
For those looking for more spacious accommodation, two four-bedroom end-of-terrace houses from £199,950 (€253,884) have an impressive 1,730 sq ft of living space. Away-from-it-all, top-floor bedroom suites are an attractive feature.
There is a good sittingroom and doors to a huge open-plan living area with kitchen and conservatory. Kitchens have maple units and a walk-in larder.
Two double bedrooms - one of them en suite - and one single room are situated on the first floor. Up another flight of stairs is a wonderful attic bedroom suite with a shower room and a walk-in wardrobe. Angled ceiling lines and a dramatic triangular front window give this room a glamourous penthouse look.
Johnstown is just off the N7, a short journey from Sallins rail station and therefore well situated for transport to Dublin.
The benefits of living in a rural community are enhanced by proximity to Naas - about two miles to the south and with abundant facilities.
The landscaping is well advanced, with a tree-lined avenue and planted front gardens. A medical centre, creche and a row of neighbourhood shops is planned.
Houses and bungalows sold this weekend will be ready to move into within six to eight weeks. A second phase of very large detached houses will come on stream at a later date.
