Dublin 8/from €287,000: A new development of tax-incentive apartments in Dublin 8 is being launched off plans this week through GPK Properties with prices from €287,000.

South Gate, at the city end of Cork Street and within a 15-minute walk of St Stephen's Green, is a scheme of 136 apartments in seven-storey blocks above ground floor retail units. Designed by Keane Murphy Duff and developed by Castlepark Construction, approximately 70 per cent of the purchase price of these apartments qualifies for Section 23 tax relief for owner occupiers and investors.

One-bedroom apartments range in size from 46.6-83.4 sq m (501-897 sq ft) and cost from €287,000-€385,000. Two-bedroom apartments of 64.7-114.9 sq m (696-1,236 sq ft) are priced from €375,000-€655,000 while three-bedroom apartments of 92.2-121 sq m (992-1,302 sq ft) cost from €430,000-€515,000. Some of the larger units are duplexes with the main bedroom en suite. Completion dates are from December 2005 and underground car-parking spaces cost an additional €25,000.

Standard features in this scheme include electrical appliances in kitchens, security gates to the underground basement car-park, balconies with all apartments, fitted kitchens, fitted wardrobes, a security intercom system and Gold Shield low cost electric heating. In addition, lifts service all floors (from the basement car-park up to the top floor).

South Gate is an important development in an area which is undergoing major rejuvenation. It benefits from easy access to the city centre while also being near enough to facilities like the Phoenix Park. With a dark brown brick façade, this contemporary scheme is designed around a central shared plaza which includes a play area for children. The architectural treatment is to maximise space, light and circulation.

The upper floors of the buildings are set back to minimise their impact on the street while the highly-glazed apartments incorporate elements of timber and glass panels.