The location is perfect for city living while the park and historic character provide an escape from everyday hustle and bustle, writes Paul O'Doherty
WITH ITS iconic park and sweeping curve that swings from the River Tolka, East Wall and Ballybough into the heart of Marino, Fairview has always been one of the most sought-after places to live in Dublin.
Not surprisingly, at the height of the property boom house prices in the area jumped 100 per cent over a four-year period. And, despite no supermarket and traffic chaos that increasingly spoils the view of the greenery, its history, old-world charm and engaging vibrancy remain signposts to this small and very identifiable community on the edge of the city.
How's the market?
"It remains quite buoyant, although it's dropped back by about 20 per cent since its height, for the turnkeys, and maybe a little more for those in need of modernisation. Overall, however, things appear to be bottoming out," says Gunne's James McKeon,
Lappin Estates' Johnny Lappin sees it as being "very quiet with prices having dropped 20 if not 30 per cent on previous highs", although some sellers are still reluctant to recognise this.
Douglas Newman Good's Aidan Murray puts the drop at between "20 to 25 per cent with buyers and sellers waiting for the Budget". While Remax Properties' Brian Kavanagh acknowledges that "€100,000 has been lost on some houses in the area".
A measure of this can be gauged by the reductions at the latest phase of the Fairview Close development where one-bedroom apartments cost between €275,000 to €300,000, down from €335,000 to €345,00. Two-bed apartments which were selling off plans a year ago for €450,000 to €489,000 now cost between €355,000 and €429,000.
Into the more established bricks, a ground floor one-bed apartment with a parking space on Philipsburgh Avenue seems keen at €210,000, while a two-bed first floor apartment, also with a parking space, at Fairview Close is down €30,000 to €350,000.
A three-bed end-of-terrace house on Carlton Road is looking for €495,000 (down from €550,000) while a similar redbrick house on a period terrace on Foyle Road, off Philipsburgh Avenue, with a west-facing garden looks good value at €495,000.
A similar-sized house on Fairview Green, at €510,000 (recently down €30,000) will get you a little more solitude.
Further up the table, a four-bed semi-detached double-fronted house on St Aidan's Road in need of updating is yours for €475,000, down from €510,000.
And to rent?
Strong with properties going quickly for the asking price. Remax Properties' Victor Duggan suggests "it's been tough but we're surviving with the last few weeks being excellent".
Lappin Estates' Johnny Lappin says: "We've had a lot more rents than sales and prices seem to be holding up. The reasons? People are selling up and going into rented accommodation with the intention of buying again in six to 12 months' time. Or they are renovating and are moving temporarily into rentals."
A one-bed studio on Addison Roadstarts at €600 a month, while €1,200 a month will get you a top-floor apartment on Richmond Road.
Two-beds begin at €1,150 a month for an apartment on Waverley Avenue while a new three-bed apartment at Annesley Bridge Road with character and a wonderful view of the park costs €1,650 a month.
Going out?
Within walking distance of the city and sea, there are well-established pubs along the main strand with niche cafés like Kennedy's and restaurants like Canters regularly coming up in gastronomic conversation. And, for those keen to annoy the neighbours, for the moment, there's the Barcode nightclub at the Westwood complex - which also houses the Bram Stoker museum - although An Bord Pleanála's rejection of its retrospective planning application seems a stake to its heart.
Price of a pint
It is €4.20 in Gaffney and Sons.
Good for families?
Crèche places for the under-twos are available at Bright Horizons at €1,113 a month. And St Joseph's principal Pádraig O'Fannin says there are places in their primary and secondary schools with "the area housing only half the school-going population of 20 years ago".
What's to do?
Fairview Park is popular as is the smaller park at The Crescent. Marino College has over 80 part-time, day and evening courses and there is also Clontarf School of Music.
Locals say
"It's one of the most convenient places not in the city but close to the city" (Melanie Brady)
"There's a real sense of history, life and community around here" (Majella McEvoy)
"If anything, it's missing a supermarket" (Sarah Gallagher)
"The roadworks around the Park seem endless" (Johnny O'Brien)
"The best thing about Fairview is Kavanagh's pub or the park depending on your mood" (Thomas Russell - City Cycles)
