North Dublin/from €365,000: With global warming and green issues a big talking point, a new launch in Swords this week prioritises energy conservation as its main selling point.
Hooke & MacDonald will be taking bookings at showhouses in The Cedars, Ridgewood, off Forrest Road, from noon today. A total of 40 houses and apartments are on offer, priced from €365,000 to €540,000-plus.
Developer MKN has installed an innovative heating and ventilation system into its latest four-bedroom houses at The Cedars, Ridgewood, using renewable energy and solar heating to provide a continuous supply of warmed fresh air. The same air can be cooled in summer.
This is effected by discreet ceiling vents - two in each room - to regulate inflow and extraction. There is no need for wall vents or open windows, although these can, of course, be opened at will and there is no need for cumbersome radiators to hamper the placement of furniture.
Making the houses airtight was important and air monitors were used as building progressed.
The developer claims the system will reduce energy bills by up to 60 per cent. This may be an optimistic forecast, but the concept is proven and an exciting step forward.
Design and development of four-bedroom houses at The Cedars has been supported by Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) as part of its House of Tomorrow programme to promote low energy/low CO2 homes.
A high A rating has been awarded to these houses, on the SEI scale.
Energy levels apart, The Cedars at Ridgewood is an attractive option for first-time buyer couples and young families. Most of the units are ready to move into as soon as paperwork is complete.
Regular construction methods have been used in the less expensive options, suitable for first-time buyers and investors.
A small number of two-bedroom apartments start at €365,000 for 68-74sq m (735-805sq ft) of space.
Three-bedroom townhouses in traditional style and with 96sq m (1,035sq ft) of accommodation are priced from €460,000.
These are ideal for anyone wanting to upgrade from an apartment in the area and have a top quality finish in two styles of layout.
One type has a front sittingroom with oak fireplace opening through double doors to an airy kitchen/diningroom.
Vanilla gloss kitchen units with walnut-look worktops give an uncluttered look and there is a large downstairs toilet. Two of the bedrooms are doubles, the third a single room. All have fitted wardrobes.
End-terrace three-bed houses have a central staircase and a separate sittingroom to the front with fireplace. The kitchen/diningroom includes a useful store cupboard and utility.
Bathrooms in all the units at Ridgewood include good over-bath pump-action showers.
Twenty-six 152sq m (1,635sq ft) House of Tomorrow four-bedroom houses with low energy classification cost from €540,000.
They are three-storey, with exteriors of copper cladding, brick and painted render and quirky tiled porches.
Front gardens are fully landscaped, while back lawns come levelled and seeded.
Kitchens with granite worktops and walnut units are open-plan to a diningroom and spacious livingroom with fine walnut fireplace.
Three windows, including French doors, provide good natural light. Three double bedrooms lead off the first floor landing and the family bathroom can be used as an en suite off the front room.
At the top of the house is the main bedroom suite, with a walk-in wardrobe by Cawleys and en suite shower room. Through glass doors is a decked balcony with views across to Howth and Ireland's Eye.
Landscaping is good at Ridgeway, with a pair of bay trees and planted beds outside each house. MKN is a family business and Sean McKeon, sons Brian and John, and daughter Niamh, are actively involved in their established Ridgewood development.
Showhouse design at The Cedars is by Niamh McKeon. The development is off Forrest Road, a short distance from Swords village, close to the airport and across the road from Forrest Little golf club. Viewing extends from noon today until Sunday at 5pm.
