These carefully preserved trees are just one aspect of the attention to detail within what is a naturally attractive and distinctive site for the overall development of 118 houses and 420 apartments.

Look in one direction and there are uninterrupted views of the Dublin Mountains; in the other direction is the sweeping city- scape spread out in the distance.

For those who already bought one of the 215 apartments or 118 houses sold in the first phase, or are hoping to secure one of the 104 apartments in the final phase that has been launched this weekend, the combination of an almost rural setting with the convenience of Dundrum Town Centre and the Luas down the road, is an obvious attraction.

But it's not for the setting alone that Ballintyre was voted Residential Development of the Year for 2005 at the Irish Property Awards. The developers say that they are setting higher standards for the look, style and feel of new homes, and there is evidence here to support that.

Designed by architects McCrossan O'Rourke Manning, the most obvious improvement is the sheer size of the units . . . on walking into the show-apartments, the first impression is one of generous space from the wide and long entrance hallways which open into well proportioned rooms . . . all with the higher-than- average ceilings more commonly associated with period houses.

Gone are the days when the concept of the apartment signalled rather cramped, single living with box sized bedrooms and tiny bathroom.

Here, even the two-beds range in size from 77sq m (829sq ft), and are described by selling agents HOK as 'family-sized'. The majority of properties sold so far are to owner-occupiers, mostly from the surrounding area, says HOK director Catherine O'Connor. Three-beds are from 97sq m (1,044sq ft), and penthouses are circa 139sq m (1,500sq ft).

In the show-penthouse, the hall is large enough to accommodate a gallery of large modern abstracts on the walls, and chest high terracotta urns and containers filled with leafy house plants.

Double doors open from the hall into the spacious living room which is open-plan through double doors to the kitchen/diningroom and through curved French doors out onto the balcony. Bathrooms are much bigger than average with ample space for additional storage.

Throughout there is the simple elegance of velvety cream wool carpet in living areas, and the dark wood furniture and fittings used throughout.

Along with selected art works and ethnic sculptures there are fashion references in the styling such as vast fitted headboards framed in leather and upholstered in everything from fake fur to velvet. The look is courtesy of both Linda Burke Interiors and the Deluxe Group.

Another development in the Deluxe portfolio is The Grange Apartments at Stillorgan.

As Colm O'Farrell from the group explains, buyers now are very style-conscious in terms of interior design . . . but many of the young professionals who invest in luxury developments like these simply don't have the time to furnish and style them in the way they would like . . . hence the rise of the bigger interior design companies with a keen fashion eye (and furniture that doesn't require a two month delivery date) who can fit out a property in less than two weeks.

"I have been with the company since l987 and there is no doubt that tastes have changed hugely since then . . . people are very aware of space and how it is used, and they generally want a very modern look.

"Interior design is currently very influenced by what's happening in the hotel and leisure industry with that feeling of luxury in the fit-out. Also 'modern' can mean a retro l960s/'70s, particularly in freestanding lighting, and there's the re-emergence of house plants to bring a natural feel to a room."

Most of the furniture and fittings are sourced in either Italy or Spain, says O'Farrell.

All properties at Ballintyre have custom-made and designed kitchens with brand leader appliances, similarly well-fitted bathrooms and generous tiling allowances, to name but a few of the standard fittings.

Walls are painted in neutral creams and whites throughout, providing a blank canvas for new owners to put their own individual stamp on.

"People want to make a statement with their homes, and there is still a strong trend for what is commonly called the 'minimalist' style, " says Colm O'Farrell.

"But that can be a little cold.

What we aim for is a look that has appeal for both sexes, and while there is a modern emphasis, the main focus for us is that when people open the front door of their property, they feel a warmth and comfort that signals home."

Price: Two-bed apartments from 460,000; three-bed apartments from 555,000; three-bed penthouses from 850,000 Agent: Hamilton Osborne King 01-6181300