CO WICKLOW - FROM €415,000:THIS WEEKEND sees the launch of The Friary, a new development of three, four and five-bedroom detached and semi-detached houses being built on an elevated site just outside Rathnew in Co Wicklow.
Around 30 houses will be released in the first phase of what will, in time, be a 500-unit development being built at Friars Hill, a back link road between Rathnew and Wicklow town.
Three-bedroom semis start at €415,000, and have around 90sq m (964sq ft) of space, with large three-beds costing €430,000. Four-bedroom detached houses with 165sq m (1,782sq ft) start at €690,000 while five-bed detached houses cost €995,000.
Joint selling agents are Gunne New Homes, where Shane Daly is handling enquiries, and Clarke Auctioneers.
Of most obvious appeal are the large, five-bedroom houses that front the development. At 251sq m (2,700sq ft) these are generously sized and split over four levels. Front doors enter into a good-sized hall with a large sittingroom on the right and a similarly-sized room on the left, currently used as a bedroom but more likely to be used as a second reception room.
Unusally, the kitchen is at a slightly higher level than the hall, up a short flight of stairs. It spans the width of the house and has double doors out to the garden as well as a good-sized utility room.
Another short flight leads to two large bedrooms, including the main bedroom. This is a major feature of the showhouse, with its own mezzanine lounge area and en suite bathroom.
Across the landing is another decent-sized bedroom with en suite while, on the top level, a large landing leads to a family bathroom and a final bedroom which has its own balcony.
Unusually, the houses at The Friary are being sold as a shell, allowing buyers to choose how they want to configure partition walls in order to create a four or five-bedroom house.
Due to the height of the development there are great views out over The Murrough - a wildlife amenity - to the sea and this view should be safeguarded even if the land to the front is developed.
Built by Limerick firm Chieftain Construction, all feature Century Homes timber frames, have Smarthomes central cabling systems, including broadband, and are heated by gas central heating.
