The advantage of buying a new home in one of the later phases of a development is that buyers get a chance to see how the estate is shaping up. The second phase of Larkfield in Lucan goes on sale today - and the fact that buyers can first stroll around the estate and see how it is maturing should prove helpful to final decisions.
Following the successful first phase launch of a mixed scheme of 50 houses in June 1999, a further 38 three, four and five-bedroom houses are now available through agents Hooke & MacDonald. Built by Cork developers Fitzgibbon Bros, prices start from £169,950 (€215,790) for three-bedroom mid-terrace townhouses which make-up the majority of new homes for release in this phase.
Larkfield is located just off the Lucan bypass on the city side of the village, around a mile from Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. Only six miles out from the city centre, Lucan is easily accessible, although morning rush-hour traffic can result in motorists facing mile-long tailbacks. However, a Quality Bus Corridor with weekday buses every 10 minutes now means that commuters can whizz in and out of the city.
There is likely to be an early sell-out of the three-bedroom townhouses, priced from £169,950 (€215,790) for a mid-terrace unit and £185,000 (€234,900) for an end home. Starter homes such as these are the most scarce commodity in the Dublin housing market. The houses have 1,060 sq ft of space over three levels.
The ground floor has a kitchen with dining area at the front of the house and behind it, a spacious lounge with patio doors leading out into the rear garden. There are two bedrooms on the first floor - one with an en suite bathroom. The attic has a further spacious bedroom.
Priced from £367,000 (€465,990), the five-bedroom detached house is the top style on offer in this phase. With 2,000 sq ft over two levels, this spacious home has plenty of space for a growing family and is exceptionally well finished, inside and out.
A double-fronted exterior is set off by a double cobblelock driveway. The main hall divides the reception rooms downstairs. To the left there is an extra-wide door with bevelled glass panels leading to the lounge, where an art deco-style beech fireplace is an eye-catching detail. Double glass doors lead to the diningroom.
To the right of the hall is a family room. The kitchen is to the back of the house, from where there are patio doors to the garden. The kitchen is quite spacious and includes a dining or breakfast area.
A staircase dominates the hall, while a stained-glass ceiling window allows light into the first-floor hallway. Upstairs there are five bedrooms; the main bedroom has an en suite dressingroom, ample wardrobe space and a bay window, while a second double bedroom comes with an en suite and lots of wardrobe space.
With 1,800 sq ft of space and priced from £312,000 (€396,160), the detached four-bedroom house has the option of a spacious fifth bedroom or living space on the third floor. The interior is similar to the five-bedroom model, with the kitchen as the main focus of the design. Patio doors lead to the back garden, while on the first floor there are four bedrooms and a bathroom. The main bedroom is en suite and has a bay window.
