Milltown is one of south Dublin’s most convenient and sought-after locations. While many shoebox sized developments sprang up in recent decades, there are still developments offering exceptionally spacious apartments, ideally suited for long-term occupation.
31 Cedar Hall, Millbrook Court, Milltown, Dublin 6
Price: €350,000 Agent: Lisney Size: 88sqm (947sqft)
Developed at the beginning of the 1980s by Guardian Builders, Millbrook Court was intended to provide American-style condo living, with planned features to include a heated swimming pool and full-time security. More than 30 years later, the development has lost much of its Stateside ambition, however the apartments’ large proportions still render them highly desirable.
Number 31 is a top-floor apartment located on the quiet eastern side of the building, with no rooms facing the busy Milltown Road, from which the development is accessed. There is no designated parking in Millbrook Court, however there is ample communal parking.
The apartment comprises a generously sized entrance hall, off which lies a diningroom/study and an extra large interconnecting reception room with a southeasterly balcony offering views over the development and surrounding areas. Unlike newer developments, this apartment has a separate kitchen with natural light and, while the current units are dated, there is ample space to create a new modern kitchen. The master bedroom enjoys the same aspect as the livingroom and has an en-suite bathroom, also with its own window. The second double bedroom is beside the main bathroom.
Originally for sale from IR£65,000 (€82,500) in 1981, prices rose to as high as €580,000 in 2007 for similar top-floor units. More recently, a neighbouring fifth floor unit, which also required modernisation, sold for about €281,000 in 2013.
The annual service charge is €1,993.
34 Milltown Grove, Milltown, Dublin 6
Price: €395,000 Agent: Allen & Jacobs Size: 92sqm (990sqft)
Number 34 is one of 48 apartments in this attractive crescent-shaped development, which broke ground in 1978 and was completed in multiple phases in following years. The development is accessed through a set of security gates. This ground-floor apartment is offered for sale with one designated parking space.
The entrance hall leads to a spacious livingroom, which interconnects with a large eat-in kitchen with dining area. Despite the kitchen’s age, being original, it is almost modern in appearance, with the handleless units now back in style. In addition to these rooms, there is a separate utility room, two double bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite bathroom, and a main bathroom. The apartment is decorated in a neutral colours.
While ground-floor apartments are not typically as desirable as upper-level apartments, the advantage in this property is that its private terrace, accessed from the livingroom, is substantially larger than the balconies above.
Originally costing from about IR£56,000 (€71,000) in 1979, asking prices for two-bedroom units peaked at €695,000 in 2006, when a similar first-floor unit came on the market. A second-floor unit, Number 12, has recently been sale agreed with an asking price of €425,000. The most recent sale to have completed was 42 Milltown Grove, which traded hands in June 2014 for €320,000.
The annual service charge is €2,000
63 Milltown Avenue, Milltown, Dublin 6
Price: €420,000 Agent: DNG Terenure Size: 77sqm (832sqft)
Located within the highly coveted Mount Saint Anne’s development, 63 Milltown Avenue is an own-door garden level apartment, one of 23 of the same style, that lies below a larger duplex home. Widely regarded as one of south Dublin’s best modern housing schemes, the award-winning development is spread over 20 acres, including communal gardens. There is residents-only gated access to the adjoining Milltown Luas stop, and while owners could easily survive without a car, number 63 has one designated parking space.
The apartment is accessed from its sizeable private patio, overlooking landscaped grounds. Upon entering the property you arrive straight into the living/diningroom, which spans the width of the apartment. The kitchen is partially separated using a glass-block wall and features cream SieMatic units. Both bedrooms are spacious and have in-built storage, with the master bedroom having an en suite. There is also a separate utility room and a second bathroom. The apartment is in walk-in condition.
Originally launched in 2002, this apartment would have cost €355,000. By 2006, a substantially smaller (64sqm/689sqft) ground-floor unit was asking €695,000, while newly launched units were seeking even higher prices. The most recent near-identical apartment to have sold was number 66, which sold in November 2014 for €465,000, a considerably higher price than is being sought for number 63. The annual service charge is €950.
aidanmurphyproperty@gmail.com
