Homes in the next phase of a distinctive development of maritime-style apartments and townhouses built around the ruins of a Norman tower on Howth Peninsula in Dublin go on sale today. Prices range from £235,000 for the smallest unit of of 826 sq ft to £950,000 for a spectacular 1,400 sq ft penthouse. Agent Douglas Newman Good is handling sales, which are expected to be brisk, as new developments are thin on the ground in the Howth area. A total of 85 two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments are arranged in four blocks which are laid out in a curvilinear pattern in well-landscaped grounds. Building is well advanced and the 12 apartments being released at this stage will be ready for occupation by mid-September; eight five-bedroom townhouses will be offered for sale later this year. The completion date for the entire scheme is expected to be May of next year.
Ellier Developments is noted for high standards of finish, and the apartments at Corr Castle are no exception. The company is currently selling the final phases of Woodstown Village, at Knocklyon, and has built apartment developments at Percy Place, Dublin 4; Marine View, Blackrock, and Anglesea Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Corr Castle is situated half a mile from Howth village, on the main road from Sutton. The entrance to the scheme faces the sea estuary at Burrow Road and there are almost uninterrupted views to the east over Howth Head. The listed castle, which forms the centrepiece of the scheme, is to be incorporated into the development with plans to restore and illuminate it. Most of the two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom penthouses have views of the castle ruin, said to have been a look-out post for sentries guarding Howth Castle, which can also be seen in the distance.
The four-storey blocks are of natural stone, painted in grey, blue and ecru. Deep roof-lines have recessed balconies which serve the penthouse apartments. Interiors are ultra-modern, with liberal use of natural wood, steel and glass. The double entrance doors are of steel and there is an inner door made of beech. The floor is pale marble and stairs to the upper floors have a beech and steel banister rail with bevelled glass sides. A lift serves each floor. No two apartments are the same - one of the selling points of this scheme. Features in common include a spacious, angled hallway, good storage space, stone fireplaces, Arthur Bonney-designed kitchens, large bathrooms and extra-wide balconies.
There is just one 826 sq ft two-bedroom apartment available at £230,000. The majority of two-bed apartments have between 1,006 sq ft to 1,250 sq ft and cost from £275,000 to £300,000, according to size and orientation. Each apartment has an inner lobby shared with two or three others. A typical two-bedroom layout consists of an angled hallway with storage cupboard, a door-and-a-half entrance to a very large sitting/diningroom with a wide balcony. A French-style stone fireplace is standard in all units.
The kitchen - off the dining end of the reception area - is of contemporary design in blond timber and steel by French designer Arthur Bonney. The main bathroom has a modern Icon suite, with chrome and gold-plated fittings. The two bedrooms are generous in size and the main bedroom has a large en suite with a double power shower. Down to the smallest detail, design has been comfort-driven. Built-in wardrobes in all the bedrooms are well fitted-out and the doors are panelled to match an overall theme. Porthole windows in the inner hall doors add a nautical flavour.
Three-bedroom apartments vary in size from 1,006 sq ft to 1,250 sq ft. Prices are fairly similar to two bedroom apartments, from £275,000 to £340,000 and layouts are interchangeable. Two two-bedroom penthouses at 1,200 sq ft and 1,400 sq ft are for sale in this phase. Prices are £595,000 for the smaller unit and £950,000 for the larger one. These have very interesting ceiling angles which follow the roof lines of the development. They have stunning views over Burrow beach and across to Ireland's Eye and enjoy very good storage and living space. Deep inset balconies off the sittingroom are sheltered and large enough to host a dinner party.
Each penthouse has its own private landing accessed by both stairs and the lift service. There is a curved entrance hall with cloaks cupboard and walk-in hot press. The main bathroom is also off the hall and this has an Icon bathroom suite with chrome and gold-plated fittings. The very light and airy sitting/diningroom has a stone fireplace and blue-painted steel doors out to the recessed balcony. The kitchen units are in beech and steel and there are balconies off this area. Both bedrooms are double in size and have fitted wardrobes. The main bedroom has a dressingroom and double shower en suite.
Planting outside has a curved theme to blend with the castle. This is planned to be the primary focus of the gardens of Corr Castle.
