Much needed new homes come to the city market
A number of brand new launches this weekend sees the new homes season kick off to a busy start, writes Liadan Hynes
ANEW homes season that is expected to see a large number of launches between now and November — at least in the Dublin and surrounding commuter belt — has kicked off with a busy week. This weekend sees three brand-new developments launching, bringing both starter and trade-up units to the market.
Clay Farm in Leopardstown, which is eventually likely to include more than a thousand units, is the sort of large-scale project that is a much needed answer to the continuing dearth of homes on the market.
The development is expected to appeal to the middle market — affluent professionals who in many cases are moving from apartments they own, and have either sold or are now becoming landlords.
Clay Farm is one of the largest housing developments to launch in Dublin 18 in nearly three decades. Park Developments’ newest project currently has planning approval for 163 houses and 262 apartments. They were also responsible for previous development The Gallops, which is situated opposite this latest site. A planning application has been submitted for a further 900 units. The first phase, which launched this weekend, consists of three- and four-bedroom A-rated units, five house types, ranging between approximately 108sqm to 161sqm. The three-bedroom units are priced from €490,000, four-bedroom from €560,000. Each house comes with two parking spaces and patio areas in the rear garden. Clay Farm is situated less than five minutes from the M50, with the N11 also nearby. The Luas station is just across the road, giving access to the city centre in approximately half an hour.
One of the arguments in favour of the Government’s help-to-buy scheme is that it has increased the number of new units at the lower end of the starter home price range, a sector which until now had seen a particularly extreme shortage of supply.
Rathborne Park, Ashtown, Dublin 15, by Castlethorn, which also launches this weekend, is one such project, with prices from €320,000. Consisting of three- and four-bedroom houses, located close to Ashtown railway station, Rathborne Park is a five minute walk from the village.
All units come with fully-fitted kitchens, with appliances as standard, and sanitary ware, floor and wet area wall tiling, and chrome towel rails in bathrooms. There are fitted wardrobes in all double bedrooms. Currently there are six house types available, mid- and end-of-terrace three-bedroom units, and semi-detached three-bedroom units, from 103sqm to 116sqm, and detached four-bedroom units, 129sqm. Three-beds are priced from €320,000, four-beds from €410,000.
Somerton, situated off the Newcastle Road in Lucan, will appeal to those already in the area who are looking to upgrade to a larger, higher spec family home. This new development also comes from Castlethorn, who have to date built more than 1,000 units in the area. It brings three-, four- and five-bedroom units to the market, with three-bed mid-terraced units from €320,000, all the way up to five-bedroom detached units from €575,000. Phase one includes 25 units and in total the scheme will bring 246 units to the market.
All units come with fitted kitchens including integrated appliances. Utility rooms are fitted with separate washing and drying machines. There are a variety of kitchen colours on offer, with the three- and four-bedroom units including Bosch integrated appliances, and the five-bedroom houses including Neff integrated appliances as well as wood-burning stoves in their ground floor living rooms. All bathrooms and en suites are fitted with sanitary ware, chrome heated towel rails, and wall and floor tiling. Rear gardens are seeded with flag paved patios as standard, and there is extensive landscaping throughout the development.
The area includes a number of schools including several Educate Together options, and a variety of sports facilities. It is well serviced by shopping centres.
Somerton, like Rathborne Park, will be previewed from an on-site marketing suite rather than from showhouses. It is a common feature of launches this season, and may be a sign that developers are keen to launch early, before Budget 2018 and any possible changes to the Help-to-Buy scheme that it may bring. Agent: Savills (01) 618 1300 Viewing: today, 2-4pm Agent: Savills (01) 618 1300, Viewing: today from marketing suite, 11am-1pm Joint agents: Savills (01) 618 1300 & Leahy (01) 601 1811