An exclusive development of apartments on the site of the former Howth Lodge Hotel has stunning sea views and a superb fit-out. Jack Fagan, Property Editor, reports.

Waterfront homes are not cheap in Dublin. An uninterrupted view over Ireland's Eye and Lambay Island will probably account for at least 20 per cent of the selling prices of some of the most impressive apartments going for sale today along the beach on the Dublin side of Howth.

Prices will range from €695,000 for two-bedroom apartments up to €2.5 million for three-bedroom penthouses, according to selling agents Hooke & MacDonald.

The 54 apartments in Howth Lodge are unashamedly expensive, not only because of the wonderful sea views, but equally because of a superb fit-out that makes them among the most elegant to have come on the market in north Dublin over the past two decades.

The Cosgrave Group originally sought planning permission for about 126 apartments on the site of the old Howth Lodge Hotel, which uniquely stood on an elevated site on the seaward side of the DART line. Some of the local residents were having none of it and, after a long and difficult planning process, Cosgraves had to settle for a relatively small development five years after buying the hotel.

The 54 apartments are located in five three and four-storey blocks - there will also be a 278 sq m (3,000 sq ft) detached house linked to the original hotel tower - but the decision to restrict the size of the development has meant that about two acres of the surplus grounds have been transformed into attractive gardens and walks.

The entire complex is guarded from the sea by a handsome Howth cut-stone wall running along the perimeter of the site. On the opposite side, there is a gated entrance across the DART line into the complex where a management office monitors CCTV cameras around the site and intercom links to each apartment.

A separate controlled gate at the rear opens out on to the beach where a considerable number of walkers were availing of the mild weather last Friday morning to enjoy the beach. Because of the high level of security and the extensive grounds, the service charges will be somewhat higher than usual, costing €2,400 for the two-bedroom apartments and €3,400 for the larger units. There will be additional charges for insurance of between €450 and €650 per annum.

Cosgraves has spared nothing to make the Howth Lodge apartments the most spectacular they have ever launched. Designed by architects Conroy Crowe Kelly, the homes come in a great variety of shapes, sizes (97.5-210 sq m/1,050-2.270 sq ft) and orientations with almost all of them have stunning sea views.

The handsome entrance halls in each of the blocks give a good indication of the high spec fit-out in the apartments. The cutting-edge finish will undoubtedly get a "wow" reaction from viewers. The developers have used a range of expensive materials and engaged traditional skills to produce highly impressive interiors.

All the homes have an open-plan livingroom / diningroom / kitchen that works exceptionally well. There is oodles of space and sliding doors opening out on to a large balcony.

Reception rooms have either cherrywood or junckers flooring and most have a Spanish sandstone fireplace with a fitted gas fire.

Nolan Kitchens has pulled out all the stops to provide a superb range of cherrywood wall and floor units with black granite worktops. These come with a full range of integrated Zanussi electrical appliances, including a built-in coffee maker.

Each apartment has a centralised lighting and audio control systems. Almost all apartments have at least one balcony and the most expensive three-bedroom penthouses have up to five, with some of them covered and others open to catch the summer sun.

Bathrooms are equally impressive with Italian marble floors and walls, underfloor heating, stainless steel heated towel rails and double-sized showers. En suite bathrooms have also been finished to a high standard and come with a Jacuzzi bath as well as a separate shower.

Main bedrooms have an en suite bathroom and there is also a separate family bathroom. All bedrooms have top-of-the-range cherrywood and cream wardrobes with in-built lighting supplied by Dublin specialists Cawleys.

Selling prices include two car-parking spaces in the basement. The lifts running from the car-park to the various levels are eye-catching with mirrored polished stainless steel doors, limestone floors and cherrywood surrounds. There is a controlled entrance to the penthouse level.

For a virtual tour of this property click on www.nicemove.ie