Developer Tim Miley of Culfodda Investments says he is not into "supermarket-style" housebuilding. If requested, each of the 10 houses under construction in his new development, Carraig Grennane in Killiney, Co Dublin, can be internally crafted to suit the taste and needs of the buyer.
Miley's last endeavour was a development of just 20 detached houses at Brehon's Chair in Rathfarnham. When he bought the Killiney Avenue site last year, the market was at its peak and he envisaged Carraig Grennane would be an enclave of £1 million (1.27 million) houses.
He has since had to lower his expectations to reflect an uncertain market. They are now selling at £695,000 (882,650) through Ross McParland.
Designed by Paul Brazil of Brazil Associates on an elevated site with stunning views, the development comprises two house types.
The larger 2,309 sq ft showhouse model, which is now on sale, is reminiscent of a large American-style family home. The front garden is attractively lawned and landscaped with a cobbled driveway area.
Entrance to the house is through a timber gate at the side of the house. The main portion of the hallway is roomy.
Once inside, the quality of finish and attention to detail are evident. Connecting doors are solid with attractive chrome handles. Each livingroom has a patio door leading to the gardens.
To the left of the hall through glass panelled double doors is a bright airy sittingroom which has a timber surround with slate inset gas fireplace. Light pours through the two-adjoining large timber and aluminium corner windows.
On the other side of the hall is a large family room with doors to a lovely timber decked area, with a garden beyond surrounded by attractive green timber fencing, interrupted by a large boulder on one side.
This room connects through doors to a kitchen/dining area with access to the decked area, and a kitchen with ample Shaker-style units with granite worktops and recessed lighting.
There is also a separate plumbed utility room with a window and fitted cupboards, which is next to a stylish half-tiled toilet with an antique-style sink unit.
Many of the rooms have angled and vaulted ceilings. Standing on the upstairs landing you can see the mountains through three spectacular vertical glass panes above the door. There are also two skylights above the vaulted ceiling.
There are four bedrooms. Miley says he was going for a five-star hotel feel with Carraig Grennane,' and nowhere is this more evident than in the main bedroom. It has a pitched ceiling, two expansive adjoining corner picture windows, and a fireplace.
The sleeping area leads to a walk-in wardrobe area, with extensive alderwood storage presses and then on to a beautiful en suite shower and bathroom with a fabulous stand-alone bath, a huge antique-style sink, walk-in power shower and walls that are half-tiled in cream.
The second bedroom has fitted wardrobes, an en suite shower and a heated towel rail, which is a feature of several of the bathrooms. The third bedroom is a double and the fourth is a large single. The bathroom is spacious with a curved bath, a shower and an oval sink.
The first two houses are to be ready before Christmas. Each house takes an average of six months to build and the agents reckon the entire scheme will be finished by late 2002.
The second 1,832 sq ft house type will have four bedrooms, one of which is en suite with a walk-in wardrobe, a drawingroom, TV room/study, utility room and kitchen/breakfast area.
One selling point may be the fact that as new houses, they are only subject to £7,000 (8,888) stamp duty.
