Hi all,
Bought in The Ash (second building to come on the market) after failing to secure apartment I wanted in The Elm (corner apt 4th floor). Price was 385k for 3rd floor 2 bed corner apt, only a week or so later on The Ash! DOH! Anyhow, price has gone up to 410k at present. Hopefully projected rises in interest rates won't dampen the property market too much, and we might see it up at 430k by the time I move in. I was told the Ash would be ready by September, but I'd reckon if it's December I'll be lucky. Hoping to catch the January sales for furniture anyhow.
PIKEYS
Yes, I believe there's going to be four halting site - small houses (kinda like those opposite Bewleys hotel, Leopardstown). Wasn't aware that there was affordable housing in that field also - bummer. I'm actually renting a house right beside park view so can see development progressing from my window, which is cool. Note that there's also a big apartment development very near Park View (near The Elm) - hope this isn't affordable housing also. If you ask me, the bigger size of the Park View apartments will keep the resale value well, despite the halting site etc. Most apartments these days are up to about 800 sq ft ... mine's 980. Gimme the pikeys any day, as long as I can't see them from my window!
SHOPS ETC
On the plus side, there's a small green area right in front of The Elm, and the new "Newtownlittle" village is going to be just in front of that. Basically, it's just going to comprise of some shops (prob including an Xtravision I guess), and I believe a creche etc. I get the impression it's going to be something similar to the shops in Sandyford Hall.
THE BUILDING PROCESS
About two months back the "pods" (i.e. a room of your apartment) starting arriving on the backs of artics late at night, all in a convoy. Mad to see - "there's my bathroom passing by" is a weird thought! Anyhow, now (27th March) almost all of the pods are in position - up to the 4th floor on The Elm ... pieced together like lego. The lift shafts have been completed for The Oak and The Ash also, and they're currently building the lift shafts for The Cedar. Problem with the pods though - I wanted to get underfloor heating and was told I couldn't because they're completely prefabricated ... and that means they come fully fitted! Speaking of which, has anyone actually managed to get Fleming to agree to putting in more electrical sockets?
SHOW APARTMENT
I visited the show apartment (which is beside the Littlewood apartments, just as you come into Belarmine) a couple of times. Looks pretty nice, especially the "butterfly" sink in the bathroom. Wasn't crazy about the white / glass units in the kitchen - but apparently they're "en vogue" at the mo. One thing I didn't like - there's only one wardrobe in each bedroom - ok I'm a guy, but I still have loads of clothes! Have seen it open periodically in the evening, not sure.
LIVING IN STEPASIDE
I've been in Stepaside for about 6 months now, and it's really nice. (Was in Ticknock Hill apartments for a year before that too). Step Inn has been refurbished and is now quite nice - although a bit cliquey - not a place to pick up! Food not bad. Mountain View pub is being pulled down I believe and they're going to have some shops and stuff there - in the village. At present, it's just Spar (with genuinely friendly staff!) - but has little post office too - also ATM (only one for miles!). Nearest Xtravision is Sandyford Hall. It's great having Marlay park a mile or so away, and even better Ticknock Hill or Three Rock Mountain or Kippure whatever you prefer to call it! If you climb up the hill anyhow (the one with the big masts on it), you can see right down to the building site which is Park View. Also cool having Dundrum now the road. Bring binoculars! Only criticism with Newtownlittle (where Park View is) is that it's high density - they've really crammed them in. By the way, I hear that residential planning permission has been given for Fernhill Gardens - across the Enniskerry road from Park View.
LUAS
Don't hold your breath on the Luas - that's still being decided as far as I know. There were discussions about having it on the East side of the M50 at Carrickmines. It's not certain whether it'll be on the West side of the M50 (i.e. Stepaside). If it does, will add big value to our apartments. Anyhow, it's not too far too Balally or Sandyford stations ... unless on foot (30 mins). I work in Sandyford, and get into the office in less than 10 mins each morning from Belarmine - can be a small tail-back at roundabout at end of Murphystown Road if there at 8.50am.