A collaboration between various architects, Royal Canal Park has been designed as a new urban village, though it's just under four miles from the city centre.

When completed, this massive development will comprise a mix of apartments, townhouses, offices and retail space, a private marina, train station, health and fitness centre, creche, and town square.

Accessed from the Ratoath Road on a site between the Tolka Valley, the Royal Canal and the Navan road, this development is very close to Phoenix Park. Already the scheme is well served by public transport, with the Ashtown train station nearby and the number 120 bus stopping on-site.

A new train station at Royal Canal Park is also due to be built in a later phase, which should provide access to the city in less than 20 minutes This latest phase sees the release of 50 one-, two-, threeand four-bed apartments and penthouses. This section of the scheme will be adjacent to the main town square and marina, which along with the health centre and creche are due to be finished in 18 months.

Several of the retail units will open soon, including a convenience store and coffee shop.

The developers have restored this stretch of the canal.

Apartments in this phase are laid out in four buildings of five and six storeys, to be finished in a mix of render and glass and topped by zinc roofs.

A marketing suite has been designed to allow buyers to see the style, size and finish of the homes they choose.

One-beds range from 41 to 48 square metres (440 to 515 sq ft), while two-beds are from 70 to 86 sq m (750 to 925 sq ft).

Three-beds are from 86 to 94 sq m (920 to 1050 square feet), and four-bed units are around 107 sq m (1150 square feet).

Standard features include custom kitchens with white gloss and walnut units, undercounter lighting and integrated stainless steel appliances.

Bathrooms come with walnut shelving and limestone floors, while halls and kitchens have halogen downlighting, and all units have a store room.

Price: one-beds from 260,000, two-beds from 345,000, three-beds from 375,000 and four-beds from 450,000.

Agent: Hooke & MacDonald 01-6318402.