The location of a two-bed apartment in Dun Laoghaire is one of its chief attractions: Clearwater Cove, a scheme of over 100 apartments built by developers Cosgrave just over 20 years ago on Dun Laoghaire's coast road, is a short walk from both Dun Laoghaire town centre and Monkstown village, as well as Salthill & Monkstown Dart station.
Interior designer Joe Ensko bought 81 Clearwater Cove not long after it was built. Now Sherry FitzGerald is seeking €425,000 for the 64 sq m (689 sq ft) two-bed apartment on the raised ground floor of the five-storey development.
It’s likely to appeal to downsizers because of its convenience, but anyone moving from a large house in the area is likely to find the apartment slightly cramped. The layout is challenging, but it’s been decorated to maximise a feeling of space.
![Kitchen area](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/6MUP3ZD3K6WO2FOFHMQZSRW4KU.jpg?auth=94c83d27ad2a3ac0989a540fd7cca6e09609ecf39e0317f1762e220889447e0e&width=800&height=533)
Walls are painted pale taupe, floors are either dark timber or tiled and the narrow entrance hall is floored with glossy white tiles.
The living/dining room has a large timber fireplace, smart fitted shelving and French doors opening onto a Juliet balcony that overlooks the busy – and noisy – coast road to the steps across the Dart line leading to Dun Laoghaire’s west pier.
The main bedroom, a modest-sized double, has dark wood-effect laminate flooring, fitted wardrobes and French windows opening, like the galley kitchen beside it, onto a balcony with a tiled floor and room for a table and chairs.
![Living area](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/2X6LPZ5CR62BVPE4JE463DTKPQ.jpg?auth=fc34015fe1e30066c2ec5dfbf71687921c80156c6fa575782405a98cc45710b6&width=800&height=533)
![Open living area](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/IR6UKWRJXUTU5XAULK2CHNN7FM.jpg?auth=46b518343bfb24202223e7d111be97e3521035a48ea308ea1263ca5e033addd4&width=800&height=533)
![Main bedroom](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ST45OJUSHAHQJNKZTVVEVVMJYQ.jpg?auth=67f73812e5474e63f1987b7bcec570a09a3b8b9f91303b98daa009e136b4d076&width=800&height=533)
Ensko, of Merrion Square Interiors, says the balcony – which overlooks the communal car-park – gets sun for much of the day.
The bedroom has a small en-suite bathroom with a bath; the main bathroom off the hall is a small shower room.
The second bedroom, a single, is currently fitted out as a small living room with a sofa bed and fitted wardrobes. It overlooks the coast road.
The well-equipped galley kitchen is long and narrow with white-tiled splashbacks: a door at the end opens onto the balcony.
![The development’s rooftop garden](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/U5IWFZECSB7H2KCB6QBEYGLZSU.jpg?auth=2ffae2ba250534b92c0ce637bbefb053cbb818096a15092dddb19c4e685098da&width=800&height=533)
![The development’s rooftop garden](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/U5IWFZECSB7H2KCB6QBEYGLZSU.jpg?auth=2ffae2ba250534b92c0ce637bbefb053cbb818096a15092dddb19c4e685098da&width=800&height=533)
There are only glimpses of the sea across the Dart line from the apartment, but wide sea views from the roof, accessible by lift: Ensko says he used the roof garden quite a lot.
Electronic gates open into the scheme which has communal parking. The annual service charge is €1,800 per year.
Number 87 Clearwater Cove sold for €453,000 in August 2018 and number 41 for €425,000 in June 2018.