Stepaside: The Belmarine development in Stepaside is one of the most innovative and exciting schemes to hit the market in recent years, writes Jack Fagan, Property Editor.
The competition for buyers in the new homes market intensifies this weekend with the launch of a design-conscious development of apartments and houses beside Stepaside village in south Dublin. The Belmarine project will have a broad appeal because of the exceptionally large mix of housing units going for sale.
The high specification of all the homes and the superb location along the foothills of the Dublin mountains will be strong selling points for what will undoubtedly be one of the most stylish and imaginative developments in south Dublin this year.
Castlethorn is pulling out all the stops to create a broad choice of homes that will appeal not only to first-time buyers but also to families trading up, retired couples and investors. There will be no less than 19 different types of houses, apartments and duplex units among the 528 homes currently planned for the 60-acre site. Equally important is the decision to include a village centre which will have a health and beauty complex, convenience shops, wine and coffee bars, a pharmacy and a video store.
Ross McParland of Sherry FitzGerald New Homes will be handling sales when 10 different showhomes open today, tomorrow and through the weekend. One-bedroom apartments will be priced from €265,000, two-bedroom units from €279,000, three-bedroom townhouses from €370,000 and large four-bedroom detached homes from €850,000.
The entrance to the new development off the Enniskerry Road is marked by handsome granite walls and a broad sweeping drive down to the site which has Fern Hill Gardens and a wooded mountain in the background and the city ahead.
The great variety of homes and streetscapes is immediately apparent: street corners are marked by low density three and four-storey apartment blocks and next to them are terraced homes on one side and large detached homes along another street. The mix is both attractive and interesting and is greatly helped by first class landscaping.
The architects for the scheme are Paul Duignan and Associates and McCrossan O'Rourke Manning.
Inside, the show apartments epitomise modern, convenient-style living with a high degree of comfort and a terrific mixture of space and light. Interiors reflect the increasing demand for generous proportions and, to accommodate modern lifestyles, Castlethorn has installed high quality, crisp utilitarian-style kitchens and bathrooms.
The 60 units being released in the first phase today include a number of four-bedroom, 172 sq m/1,860 sq ft detached homes which at €850,000 to €865,000 seem particularly good value judging by the prices being achieved for second-hand homes in south Dublin. This particular showhouse is on four levels and has an excellent mixture of formality and elegance.
There are two fine reception rooms, one a livingroom with a broad bay window and attractive fireplace with gas fire. The familyroom on the opposite side of the hall is somewhat smaller but equally comfortable. A few steps down from the hall leads you directly into a beautiful kitchen/diningroom with lots of space, light and atmosphere.
The wall and floor units produced by Monaghan kitchen manufacturer Seamus McElroy's Mount Lodge Kitchens are exceptionally well finished and even include a special drawer with over 20 kitchen accessories. Electrical appliances are integrated and the kitchen is nicely finished with a stainless steel hood and polished marble worktop.
There is a handy utility room off the kitchen and doors opening out on to a patio and private garden. The four bedrooms are all doubles and the main bedroom has a well-furnished en suite. Wardrobes in all the bedroom also come from the same Monaghan stable as the kitchen.
Stepaside is only a short run to Sandyford where the Luas service will have a major station. It is also within easy commuting distance of Loughlinstown which will short link up with the M50 with the completion of the Southern Cross Motorway.
The Belmarine development will be seen as one of the most innovative and exciting schemes to hit the market in recent years. It is no accident that Castlethorn is the developer because few companies have invested so much energy and time in improving its building designs and standards. The results are there to be seen in Stepaside.
The Facts: Belmarine
Address: Stepaside, Dublin 18
Number of units being released: 60
Sizes and prices: One-bed apartments of 53 sq m (566 sq ft) from 265,000; two-bed apartments of 72 sq m (775 sq ft) from 279,000; two-bedroom townhouses of 76 sq m (823 sq ft) from 315,000; three-bed duplex home of 121 sq m (1,309 sq ft) from €360,000; three-bed duplex apartments of 106 sq m (1,132 sq ft) from €395,000; three-bed townhouses 104-120 sq m (1,125 to 1,292 sq ft) from €370,000; four-bed townhouses of 148 sq m (1,598 sq ft) from 465,000; four-bed detached homes of 172 sq m (1,860 sq ft) from 850,000; five-bed detached homes of 214 sq m (2,313 sq ft) from 950,000
Ready: From next April onwards
Anything different: Unusually large range of house types; high spec finishes internally
Developer: Castlethorn
Architects: Paul Duignan and Associates and McCrossan O'Rourke Manning
Selling agent: Sherry FitzGerald New Homes
Viewing times: Today and tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 pm., and on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 pm.
