A loft apartment in a converted warehouse with skyline views sounds more like Manhattan than Clanbrassil Street. Caroline Kennedy came across her 1,400 sq ft penthouse in the new Warehouse development when she was looking for somewhere to live last year.
Constantly on the go with her successful public relations company, an easy-maintenance home close to the office would fit the bill perfectly. "You'll never get an apartment this size so close to town ever again. To get these views, it's unique," says Caroline. "It takes me 10 minutes to walk to work. I don't know how people cope with travelling, it would do my head in."
The Warehouse was the smartest pad in town when it was launched almost two years ago. Converted by developer Michael Roden from the old Crowe Wilson textile factory, its huge open-plan spaces, minimalist white walls and stark grey metal work were a far cry from the usual plushly-decorated show apartments. The original parquet floor of the textile factory was carefully restored and re-laid in the most expensive top floor units. From top floor windows, the panoramic view takes in the spires of St. Patrick's and Christchurch, Christ Church, the Central Bank, City Hall and the ranks of cranes on the Dublin skyline.
At night it's even more spectacular, and the smell of hops from the Guinness brewery makes Caroline feel especially at home. She came across the place totally by accident. "A friend had bought one over the way and he showed me the place. I loved the whole concept. I was living nearby in Heytesbury Street and liked the area. My office is in Christchurch and I've never had a hankering for the leafy suburbs.
"Buying here was an instant decision, but I'm still in shock. When I saw it last June, people were still on the building site. I looked at it on Friday evening and within 10 minutes, I'd left a message to view it again on Saturday. By 9.30 the following Monday morning, I'd shaken hands on the offer. I hadn't even gone to the bank. I was so excited I didn't sleep for a month." One of the things Caroline liked about the apartment was the airy upstairs sittingroom overlooking the kitchen and main living area, with a large decked balcony crying out for greenery. This area is her parlour for unexpected visitors. Here Caroline shows off the antique Chinese furniture she loves to collect.
The curved wall in the hallway is pleasing to look at but nothing can fit against it, she says. "I've been so busy since I came here, the removal boxes are still waiting for the bin. When I saw the space last June I thought it was heaven. It was a very stressful move in September. It was lashing rain and because the antique fair was on, I couldn't get a removal van for love nor money. So two friends helped. I had no idea what to do with the space when I moved in and I still don't. I'll get my head around it eventually. The choice is terrible."
The vast L-shaped room downstairs has a high-tech beech and steel kitchen at one end and sitting and dining areas at the far end. A second bedroom, bathroom and walk-in wardrobe here are used by Caroline as a dressingroom. On the lower deck, the apartment is so high that traffic sounds are muted.
"It's far higher than you expect. I used to wake up with the traffic on Heytesbury Street. Here I could sleep in late, it's so quiet. You can't see a thing from the road, so I keep the blinds up. "Deciding how to arrange the space will take time. I need to do something with downstairs. I would change those ceiling spotlights for a start. I'm thinking of putting bookcases in the dining area and painting the far wall red. Definitely red downstairs, I love the colour. Another thing I'd really like is to get a super thick rug for downstairs. The parquet is fine, but you have to mind it. The space needs a deep pile carpet for cosiness." The mix of residents in the apartments is "fabulous" says Caroline. Architects and barristers rub shoulders with musicians and artists. Dress designer Cuan Hanly and his fiancee, Riverdance star Jean Butler, are next door to Caroline.
On the other side, the architect owner lives in a huge open penthouse with no walls except in the bedroom area. While this purist loft-style living would not suit Caroline, she is delighted with all the space.
"This is a 1,400 sq ft apartment - larger than many houses. In Heytesbury Street I was always cleaning and tidying . . . this place keeps itself in order. I've a launch this evening in City Hall and I'm walking there. It'll take me 10 minutes. I'll be living in this place for the rest of my life. I was fated to be here."
