CABINTEELY:FROM €450,000: LOTS OF new homes schemes lay claim to eco credentials, but the developers of an apartment scheme in Cabinteely say that theirs is the first to have achieved A1 ratings in the new Building Energy Ratings (BER).
Watermint on the Old Bray Road in Cabinteely is a high-end eco-friendly apartment scheme in an enviable location, overlooking Cabinteely Park.
The scheme, developed by brother and sister team Neil and Ruth Monahan who are members of the Doyle hotelier family, was designed with strong sustainable principles at heart and the scheme's energy ratings have just been published on the national BER register, with all apartments achieving ratings of A3 or higher.
The majority of apartments at Watermint have achieved A2 or A3 ratings and two apartments have secured A1 certificates. This is a first for an apartment development, according to Neil Monahan.
The high energy ratings at Watermint have been achieved with sustainable technologies, such as wood pellet district heating systems, heat recovery ventilation, Led lighting (which uses only 10 per cent of the energy used by normal lighting) and the use of Ecocem rather than standard cement.
The installation of smart meters and an EMMA box means that residents will be able to sell electricity generated on site back to the grid via the photo-voltaic solar panels.
The Watermint scheme, which was launched in March 2007, is nearing completion and the developer, Monti, expects to be off site by mid-November.
The remaining three units at the scheme are now on sale and include two penthouses, which are new to the market.
To coincide with the launch, selling agent Gunne New Homes will be showing a knock-out show apartment by appointment to interested parties.
The 108sq m (1,162sq ft) show penthouse is for sale for €1.2 million and includes a stylish furniture package.
A smaller 90sq m (969sq ft) penthouse costs €1.1 million. The last one-bed apartment is for sale at €450,000.
Design-wise, the apartments are larger than average, have high ceilings and lots of storage.
All apartments have a drying room aimed a discouraging residents from using a tumble dryer.
Eco principles aside, Watermint is a very attractive scheme.
Bathrooms are spa-tastic with opulent teak baths (with built-in double seating), underfloor heating in the penthouses and swish kitchens. Recycled materials feature significantly throughout.
Monti plans to use the proto-type developed at Watermint in a larger scheme in the pipeline in Palmerstown, west Dublin, aimed at the lower end of the market.
Watermint, Old Bray Road, Cabinteely, D18
Three units left for sale from €450,000 to €1.2m in scheme with A1 energy rating
Agent: Gunne new Homes
