Co Meath/from €1.725m:The first phase of a luxury scheme in the grounds of the former Williamstown Estate hit the market this week.
Around a dozen houses go on sale this weekend in a new upmarket development in Co Meath which could set a challenge for the current sluggish new homes market.
Williamstown Stud is under construction on the former Williamstown Estate, where one of the farm's previous owners was the late Aga Khan.
The houses are the last word in luxurious fit-out and the mature grounds of around 80 acres are glorious.
The former demesne is outside Clonee on the road to Lucan, commutable at around 12 miles from the city centre.
A number of the houses were sold during the construction phase to local buyers who noticed the signs and made enquiries.
Ashbourne and Navan-based Remax Royal County is the selling agent and show houses will be viewing by appointment over the weekend.
Prices range from €1.725 million to €1.88 million for two types of five-bedroom houses with 316sq m (3,400sq ft) and 334sq m (3,600sq ft) of living space. Included in this price range are three four-bedroom gate lodges with traditional character and modern interiors.
Exteriors are a mix of brick and coloured render, with granite porticos. Each house stands on up to half an acre of gardens, divided from each other by tree-planted banks.
Gardens will be fully landscaped, with gravelled driveways, lawns and flower beds close to the entrance. Front doors will be painted in different primary colours.
Developer Hollioake and architects Peter White and Fenton Simons have produced a top quality finish to match the setting at Williamstown.
Teak windows, marble floors, sweeping oak staircases and marble fireplaces make a good first impression.
Hand-painted cream kitchen units with granite worktops are fitted with a full range of integrated Neff appliances, including a microwave and American-style fridge freezer.
The 37sq m (400sq ft) main bedroom comes with a walk-in wardrobe and en suite with steam shower and heated towel rail. Three of the other bedrooms are also en suite.
A centrally-controlled media system with three wall-mounted LCD and plasma televisions are part of the package. Gas central heating includes a heat recovery system which filters fresh air into the main rooms.
Williamstown House and demesne were established over 200 years ago and built a reputation over the years for breeding show-jumping stallions.
The new development will be divided into three separate areas, each with its own gate lodge entrance, to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to residents. There will be 97 houses on the site when completed. The site is encircled by mature trees and woodland walks have been preserved.
Some houses in phase one will be ready to move into by the end of this month, according to the selling agent. Others still under construction have a completion date of early 2008.
