High tech luxury from £850,000

An automated control system is just one of the state-of-the-art features of Avonvale Hall in Ballyguile, Co Wicklow, a scheme of nine luxury houses being sold off the plans from today through joint agents Remax and Dooley Poynton. Five houses, of which one remains for sale, have already been built in the first phase of the scheme.

The high tech system allows control of the lighting, heating, security alarms, curtains and various household appliances via a mobile phone, hand-held remote control or computer.

A showhouse from the existing phase will be open to the public over the weekend from 2 to 5 p.m. to give prospective buyers an idea of what to expect. Phase two, of a slightly different design, will comprise dormer bungalows.

The five-bedroom house left in the initial phase costs £850,000 (€1,079,280). In the second phase, one £820,000 (€1,041,190) dormer bungalow and one two-storey house priced at £950,000 (€1,206,250) have already been sold.

Built on an elevated site one mile from Wicklow town, the first phase of 3,150 sq ft houses was inspired by a trip to Boston by developer Peter Crossan of Milltrack Homes. Designed by the Padraig Smith Partnership, they are very large in appearance, with a teak double front door, rolling gardens front and rear, a large patio, five double bedrooms and a detached garage that is larger than most apartments. The tiled porch and hallway, along with the arched windows and doorways, lend somewhat of a villa feel.

Buyers can dictate how they want the interior of their home decorated and if willing to spend extra, can have the back garden tailored to requirements.

The houses have IP Home Net, a networking system which allows transfer of telephone calls around the house, along with ISDN, Internet and satellite/digital TV access in all rooms. They also come with CCTV wiring and a central vacuum system.

Cobble lock driveways, landscaped front gardens, a Jacuzzi in the main bathroom and power showers in all four en suite bathrooms are among standard features.

In the showhouse, there are three reception rooms - the family room, lounge and spacious kitchen/ breakfastroom. The lounge maximises views of the Wicklow countryside with its large teak double-glazed windows. The high ceiling has hardwood timber beams and the landing gallery above is visible through glass panelling. As with the family room, this room has red deal timber flooring.

The kitchen has cherrywood units with polished granite worktops, a centre island unit and integrated fridge freezer, dishwasher, washing machine and tumble dryer.

Ash hardwood stairs lead to the gallery, which is large enough to be used as an office or sitting area. The main bedroom has a mahogany balcony overlooking the front garden and an en suite bathroom.

The two-storey houses in the second phase will be bigger, at 3,550 sq ft, and will have a larger hall and a sunroom to the rear. The 3,050 sq ft dormer bungalows will also have a large sunroom.

Each of the houses sits on 0.8 of an acre and has a large detached garage. The new phase will have 1,000 sq ft garages which will have lofts, toilet and sink units and will be wired for IP Home Net.