Co Dublin/from €280,000: Show apartments open this weekend at the latest Durkan New Homes scheme in the village of Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Douglas Newman Good will be taking bookings for 20 one and two-bedroom units, priced from €280,000 to €375,000.
Blackthorn is at the far end of the village, off the road to Kilteel and a few minutes' drive from the proposed Luas stop at Citywest. The N7 is within easy reach. Upper floor apartments will enjoy mountain views.
One-beds of 45-46sq m (484-495sq ft) cost from €280,000. Two-bedroom apartments of 77-95sq m (775-1,023sq ft) range from €340,000 to €375,000. This tranche is expected to be ready to move into by September 2006.
Design is by architects Fenton Simons and finish is good, with quality sanitary ware, attractive wood-look kitchens and generous wall tiling provision. Internal doors are ash veneer, with brushed steel handles and built-in wardrobes are provided.
Blackthorn will eventually include a mix of apartments and houses within landscaped communal grounds. A public open space is planned for the centre of the development and a crèche is included subject to planning.
The apartment blocks are three-storey, with timber-clad sunroom extensions and sit-out balconies. A typical two-bedroom apartment has an L-shaped entrance hall with coat storage. Bedrooms - one en suite - and the main bathroom are off to one side, while an open-plan living/diningroom and kitchen open to a terrace or balcony at the opposite end. Some living areas include an extended sunroom area which gives good natural light.
Surface parking is also included at Blackthorn. A management company will look after grounds and apartment block maintenance for an annual fee, expected to be around €1,000 for a two-bedroom unit. Construction is well advanced, houses will be released for sale in the autumn and the entire development is scheduled for completion by November this year.
Viewing is on Saturday and Sunday next from 2 pm.