Blessington/from €270,000: With prices starting at €270,000 a new residential development in Blessington should attract particular attention from first time couples and singles keen to buy in a picturesque area within commuting distance of Dublin.
Saturday sees the launch of 45 units at Downshire Park, comprising a mix of houses ranging from three-bedroom townhouses to five-bedroom, detached homes which are being sold through joint agents Leahy Property Consultants and Mulrooney Property Consultants.
Due to planning restrictions in Wicklow, purchasers of the houses must either work or live in County Wicklow or a specified hinterland made up of parts of West Dublin or North Kildare.
The smallest of the three-bedroom townhouses run to 98.5 sq m and cost €270,000. These feature a lounge with dividing door into kitchen and three bedrooms upstairs, with one en suite.
A second three-bedroom style has a similar lay out but with a two-storey bay window to the front to increase the floor area. There is also an end of terrace three-bed offering a sun-room off the kitchen. Extending to 104.5 sq m, prices for these start at euro €299,000.
Three different styles of four bedroom, semi detached houses are available. These have extended kitchen extensions to the rear and start at euro 338,000 for a 122.5 sq m unit, rising to euro 385,000 for the largest (134.5 sq m.).
The scheme also includes two styles of five-bedroom, detached homes starting at € 510,000.
Extending to 193.5 sq m, these have three reception rooms and a large kitchen with utility room.
For €550,000 buyers can opt for a similar house with a 400 square foot attic suitable for conversion.
The first phase is due for completion in Spring 2005 with the entire development (280 houses) due to be finished within two years.
All will be laid out in a series of small cul de sacs with a variety of elevations to create an attractive streetscape.
One of the development's strongest selling points will be its location, adjacent to the proposed new Blessington Town Centre.
When finished this will include a hotel, leisure centre and retail outlets.
The new homes will also overlook 35 acres of parkland at Blessington Demesne. It has a bowling lawn, playing pitches and restored gardens.
The development has pedestrian access directly from the market square opposite the Downshire Hotel and will also benefit from the new inner relief road.
Blessington town is nicely situated in west Wicklow within half an hour of both Wicklow and Sally gaps, but is also close to the Square in Tallaght and the M50.
