Malahide: from €3mWill this be the Shrewsbury Road of the northside? Fiona Tyrrelllooks at plans for Malahide's latest estate for the super-rich
An Edwardian-themed drinks party where the waiters wore tails and the guests sipped Belle Epoque champagne and nibbled on pressed tongue, rabbit and venison canapés was the highly unusual setting for the launch of an exclusive housing scheme in Malahide.
Donal Caulfield's LM Development was keen to prove its Edwardian credentials as it unveiled plans for Streamstown Wood scheme - a small enclave of Edwardian-style houses in Malahide where prices range from €3 million to €6 million.
Modelled loosely on Shrewsbury Road in Ballsbridge, the 22 large homes off the Malahide Road are for sale off plans from today through agent McPeake Auctioneers.
LM Development, one of the developers behind the hip starter home Belmayne scheme also off the Malahide Road, is promising lavish living, bespoke interiors and concierge services at Streamstown Wood.
There are seven different types of houses on offer at the scheme, all taking their names from Edwardian architecture references.
The three-storey over basement Edwardian-style houses are seriously large, ranging in size from 455sq m to 679sq m (4,900-7,500sq ft).
They feature Edwardian-style hipped roofs, double-sided bay windows, cast-iron railings and arched entrances.
Inside the front door, however, it's a different story. Included in the price of the house is the services of Streamstown's interior design and architect team and the developer is offering a totally bespoke package allowing purchasers to dictate the interior layout and design.
The five and six-bedroom houses can, according to the developer, accommodate an indoor heated swimming pool in the basement (at an extra cost of €80,000) along with full gym and leisure facilities. Alternatively, the basement can be designed to house music and cinema rooms, a nanny suite, a wine cellar, a bar or games room.
The houses, which are due to be finished from June 2008, will be fitted out in lavish style with an average budget of €280,000 set aside for each house.
This will include a €60,000 home automation system and €100,000 alone for a Clive Christian kitchen.
Meanwhile, Louise Kennedy will design the interiors of the two showhouses and again, the purchaser can work directly with Louise and her design team if inspired by her showhouse interiors.
The icing on the cake, however, is the three years platinum membership of worldwide concierge service Quintessentially for each buyer. Valued at around €15,000 a year, this goes a good way towards easing the pain of annual maintenance fees of €5,000.
Meanwhile, Wicklow-based landscape architect Tim Austen plans to extend the Edwardian theme of the house design to the landscaping. A 1.5-acre private park will form the centrepiece of the development. Some €2 million has been earmarked for the park which will include a large water feature, a pavilion, small putting green and a children's play area. At the heart of the park is an Edwardian-style fruit garden with cherry and apple trees and strawberry, blackberry and raspberry bushes.
Elsewhere mature trees, costing €10,000 each, are planned to ensure a leafy setting for the scheme. A full-time gardener will be employed to look after the gardens.
Streamstown Wood will be entered via impressive stone pillars and wrought iron gates off Streamstown Lane, 15 miles to the south of Malahide village.
