Dublin 8: from €330,000A new scheme near the canal in Rialto comes with lots of added extras

Developers are pulling out all the stops to persuade buyers to put down deposits, so appliances, broadband technology and glamorous bathrooms are now standard in most launches.

Gunne New Homes is opening show units for the first time this weekend at Grand Canal Court, an apartment scheme off Herberton Road in Rialto, Dublin 8.

Newlyn Developments has included a strong contemporary specification in its latest scheme, with a number of extras for the price. Grand Canal Court overlooks the canal at Herberton Bridge, five minute's walk from the Suir Road Luas stop and is within cycling distance of the city centre. St James's Hospital is in the vicinity, so letting potential is good.

This is the final phase, with 16 one and two-bedroom apartments on offer, out of 30 units in the entire scheme. Designed by Fitzgerald Kavanagh Architects, the brick and glass building has a six-storey tower at one end and the apartments currently for sale are in the two-storey section. All have balconies and a few choice units have two balconies and south-facing orientation.

Prices start at €330,000 for one-bedroom apartments of 45sq m (500sq ft). Two-beds of 65-80sq m (700-861sq ft) cost from €440,000. Prices include one underground parking space per apartment.

Interiors are up-to-the-minute, with high-gloss kitchen units fitted with a full range of integrated appliances and walnut effect worktops. Bathrooms come with wall tiling, shower doors, recessed washbasins, concealed cisterns and vanity units.

Internal doors of white oak are particularly attractive. Storage is good - an essential in apartment living. The apartments are wired for broadband and phone connections to bedrooms and sittingroom, using CAT5 cabling. Communal grounds have been well landscaped by Ronan MacDiarmada & Associates.