Greystones/from €345,000: Durkin New Homes is officially launching Blacklion Manor, a small mixed apartment and housing scheme overlooking the harbour in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

Kelly Walsh Property Advisors & Agents will be taking bookings for 20 two-bedroom apartments at a marketing suite, which opens for viewing on Saturday and Sunday next. Prices are from €345,000 for these very large 68-89 sq m (726-956 sq ft) apartments, which are of a commendably high specification.

At a recent pre-launch reception, 18 units were snapped up on the spot by local residents, auguring well for the 20 currently on offer. Some were bought by parents for their children, others by locals downsizing within the area.

Blacklion Manor is on an elevated site of 5.6 acres, off the main coastal road entering Greystones from Bray. Every apartment has either sea or mountain views and density is low, with plenty of open space. Tree-lined avenues will eventually complement landscaped gardens when the development is completed. Parking is underground and free to residents.

The two apartment blocks of a contemporary brick and render design will be two and three stories, with sea views from all levels.

Internal specification is good, with €5,000 worth of integrated appliances, including cooking equipment, washer-dryer, fridge-freezer and microwave. Kitchens will have a dark wood finish with chrome handles and blue wall tiles. Bathrooms come tiled in pale blue and with good quality sanitary ware.

These are very large apartments, so sittingrooms are not cramped. Attractive stone fireplaces will have flame-effect electric fires.

Both bedrooms are good doubles and they come with fitted wardrobes and an en suite shower off the largest room.

About half of the apartments will have balconies or timber decks. Apartments sold in this phase will be ready to move into by February 2005, according to the selling agent.