West Dublin: from €280,000A good mix of apartments and houses beside Adamstown's developing facilities will tempt buyers to this new suburb says Fiona Tyrrell

With two new primary schools open for business, 300 homes occupied and regular train services to Dublin city, Adamstown in west Dublin is taking shape.

Launching this week is Castlethorn's Adamstown Square - the latest stage in the overall Adamstown scheme.

Prices start at €280,000 and there is a good mix of unit styles to suit a range of family types and prices to suit most wallets.

The new urban district beside Lucan is the first scheme in the Government's Strategic Development Zone (SDZ). The initiative was designed to fast-track planning for starter homes and requires developers to build a sustainable urban community by delivering infrastructure and facilities in tandem with housing units.

At a time when the lack of schools in developing areas of Dublin is making headlines, the fact that two primary schools have just opened in Adamstown is a big selling point.

Adamstown Educate Together and St John the Evangelist National School opened for business earlier this month and already have over 100 pupils attending.

A third primary school is in the pipeline and a 1,000-place secondary school is expected to open in 2009. Meanwhile a crèche, operated by Giraffe, will open in December.

A key ingredient in the Adamstown concept is the train station. The station is now served by five trains to Heuston Station between 7am and 9am and journey times take 15 to 20 minutes.

Eight show units open at Adamstown Square to coincide with the launch of 80 homes this weekend.

Selling agent Gunne New Homes will be operating eight show units at the site this weekend to give buyers a flavour of what's on offer.

The architects for this phase of the development are Murray O'Laoire and the overall look at Adamstown Square differs significantly from those at Adamstown Castle, also developed by Castlethorn.

There is a mix of apartments, duplexes and townhouses available but the scheme is definitely geared towards young families with 60 per cent of homes on offer boasting three or four bedrooms. Prices start at €280,000 for 48-63sq m (516-678sq ft) one-bedroom apartments.

Two-bedroom apartments with 65-84sq m (700-904sq ft) are priced from €310,000 and three-bedroom apartments with 89-103sq m (958-1,108sq ft) cost from €347,000.

The duplexes are particularly attractive and cleverly designed. They are available in a number of styles.

Two-bedroom duplex units with 81-89sq m (872-958sq ft) of living space start at €330,000 and three-bedroom duplex units with 97-112sq m (1,044-1,205sq ft) are from at €350,000.

Three-bed terraced houses with 115sq m (1,238sq ft) cost from €425,000. Four-bedroom terraced houses with 132-146sq m (1,420-1,571sq ft) start at €495,000.

These attractive homes have, in addition to a well-laid out open-plan living/kitchen area, a lounge on the first floor - ideal as a retreat for grownups. The main bedroom is very spacious.

Finish at Adamstown Square is good. There is a choice of four kitchen styles, bathroom floor and wall tiling, and a selection of wall colours to choose from. A choice of fireplaces is also available in the townhouses. All units have good storage and lots of glazing to maximise light.

Townhouses come with attractive city gardens with a small lawn area, patio and decking. Many open onto pretty landscaped areas.

Duplex homes on ground and first floors have their own space with trellised gardens or patio areas and upper level duplexes have balconies.

Buyers who sign and return their contracts within 21 days will get kitchen appliances included in the price.

Units for sale in this launch will be ready for occupation from summer next year, according to the selling agent.

Adamstown Square has a good location in the overall Adamstown district. The train station and schools are around a five-minute walk away and it is the closest part of the overall site to the planned Adamstown Central, the district centre, which will incorporate over 60 shops, a civic theatre, restaurants, bars, a cinema, library, a fitness centre and primary healthcare facility.