An ultra-modern three-bedroom mews house in Rathgar is to be auctioned on October 20th by Sherry FitzGerald, which expects a price in the region of £300,000. The house, 3 Rathgar Place - a narrow laneway off Rathgar Road - is newly-built of grey cut-stone. Given its secluded position and its innovative design, this stylish mews, which has just over 1,000 sq ft of floor space, should appeal to buyers looking for a city base with a difference. Since it is a new house, there is no stamp duty on the purchase price of the mews and first-time buyers who can afford the auction price will qualify for the standard £3,000 grant.

The house is at the far end of a mostly unconverted mews laneway. Steel, timber and stone are used throughout to create a fashionable loft atmosphere. Lighting design is particularly imaginative and the solid timber windows are triple glazed.

Entrance to the mews is via a gated car-port which has a tiled floor and ground-level security lights. The entrance hall and stairs are floored in marble. To the right there is a study with a built-in desk, oak flooring and a church-style long window. A guest cloakroom with bidet is located off the hall.

The open-plan kitchen and livingroom at the back of the hall spans the width of the house. This has extensive beech units with integral Neff electrical appliances and matching black granite worktops and marble floor. A full height ceiling at the seating end has an unusual overhanging gallery of silver painted metal. Solid timber French doors open on to a flagged terrace.

The staircase is white marble, with steel-topped light stone walls which have recessed lighting at foot height. Perspex roof windows almost blind the landing with light. The main bedroom has an oak floor and has built-in wardrobes and an en suite shower.

There is a second double bedroom with wardrobes and a small single room which could be used a dressingroom if necessary. The main bathroom is good-sized and has a curved bath. An open-weave metal gallery overlooking the downstairs seating area is an extravagant feature given the economy of space, but it does add to the "industrial loft" style of the interior.

The garden is surprisingly large - not much smaller than the garden of the period house backing on to the mews. It has been paved, with raised brick flower beds and a specially-designed spherical light.

There is an intercom security system and the entire house is wired for stereo.