PR director's apartment for €330,000
The Seller:Catherine Walsh
What and where
A one-bedroom apartment next door to the National Museum at Collins Barracks in Smithfield, with a balcony overlooking a landscaped courtyard. Apartments in this small development (just 70 apartments) rarely come on the market as people find they can't leave the place.
Most of the apartments are still occupied by the original owner-occupiers (2001) and very few are let. The apartment is being sold with a car-parking space, which is quite rare for one-beds in any development.
Describe the apartment
Bright and spacious, with white walls and wooden floors, the apartment has a hall, large living area with kitchen, a roomy bedroom and a bathroom, with a bath! The kitchen is in oak with a granite worktop and comes with all mod cons. Floor-to-ceiling doors lead out onto the balcony, which is built around a central courtyard, giving the development a continental feel; it's wonderful on summer evenings. As it is largely owner-occupied, the development is well looked after and nearly everyone makes good use of their balconies and grow beautiful window boxes. Facing onto the courtyard means that you don't hear any city traffic and I haven't once been kept awake in five years. It is always warm and cosy.
Why are you moving?
I would like another bedroom for when family come over to stay from out of town (my brother is fed up of the couch - the flight from California is bad enough). In an ideal world, I would love to be able to hold onto my apartment too.
What's the best thing about it?
Location Town is in walking distance, the pubs and market of Smithfield are nearby, and the Luas is outside the door. I walk to work.
And the neighbourhood?
Benburb Street is one of Dublin's oldest streets. I think it even gets a mention in Ulysses. It has changed significantly in the five years I have been here. Smithfield is young, vibrant and energized and as well as the neighbouring museum, the flat is two streets from Smithfield Plaza with its new convenience stores, bars, restaurants and cafés. It is also across from Croppies Acre, another historical site, and is made accessible by what I like to think of as "my" bridge (the James Joyce Bridge).On the first Sunday of each month you can visit the Horse Market - I don't think there is another sight like it in Dublin.
Who'd like your home?
Anyone who is tired commuting and would like to live centrally and enjoy everything the city has to offer. A taxi home from a night out is €€6. You can meet your friends for lunch on a Saturday, go home and relax, read, cook, and walk back into town for more.
To view
My flat is for sale through Gunne Auctioneers, Phibsborough 01-8306426 and can be viewed on www.myhome.ie or on the Gunne website, www.gunne.ie.
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