The Warehouse, a development of 42 homes initially launched six years ago, was the first New York loft-style design in the city, created in what had formerly been a textile factory, and, says owner Peter Brennan, the solid structure of the original building makes for particularly good sound proofing in terms of heavy metal . . . so to speak.

"You can turn the stereo up pretty high as the walls and floors are so thick and sturdy . . . they were built to withstand hundreds of tons of heavy industrial machinery for a fully working factory. A bonus too is that the ceilings throughout are over 10ft high, while the windows are plentiful and quite wide giving the facade an almost art deco look. I was one of the first to buy a home here, and at that time, new developments tended to be unfurnished.

"But that can be an advantage. So I set about increasing the light by putting in feature internal glass block walls, laying parquet flooring and painting most of the walls white."

Peter has an ulterior motive, apart from lightenhancement, in the creation of vast expanses of white wall in the open-plan living area . . .

he's an art dealer, who, enviably, combines work and home in truly aesthetic style.

The main living area extends to 45ft in length with the wall in the dining end sweeping into a gentle curve. Hardly surprising is the fact that the apartment has been featured in glossy spreads in interior design magazines, as Peter's collection of contemporary Irish art gives the apartment the ambience of being in a cool, tranquil gallery.

That is, however, until baby Eve brings everyone back down to earth. Because the loft is, first and foremost, a family home which Peter shares with his wife Fiona and their newest creation.

Combining a working gallery space with a lively 16-monthold daughter certainly keeps the couple on their toes and, as Peter honestly says, openplan living with work in mind too is not for everyone when you have to keep a sense of order.

"It's true that you strive to ensure an open-plan livingroom is always pretty tidy, especially when showing work to clients. But then having so much space and light more than compensates."

Each apartment in the lowrise block has its own front door, and is arranged around an internal courtyard with centrepiece water feature.

Peter and Fiona's first-floor home is generously sized compared to more recent apartment designs, and has over 116sq m (1,250sq ft) of space. The parquet flooring throughout the entrance hall, livingroom and bedrooms gives continuity and enhances that sense of space, while the extensive glazing in these areas flows in abundant natural light.

Open-plan means just that here, with a communal livingroom, diningroom and kitchen all easily accommodated in the 45ft sweep. The kitchen has been allocated a space of 12' 4" x 10' 4" and is fully fitted with solid maple presses topped by granite worksurfaces, while overhead are glazed door storage units.

Britannia and Neff appliances are seamlessly integrated, and the area is again light filled via the south-facing window.

Polished marble floor makes a practical flooring in the utilityroom, where the laundry appliances and hotpress are also installed. The first, and larger, of the two bedrooms opens onto the terrace overlooking the courtyard. It is en-suite, with a power shower and black ceramic tile floor. Bright bedroom two is extensively glazed, with a feature frosted glass wall and enjoys the evening sun due to its westerly-aspected window. The main bathroom is a larger version of the en-suite, with partly tiled walls.

Outside is a secure designated car-parking space, while the development has a full-time concierge. Literally 10 minutes' walk away is St Stephen's Green and Grafton Street, while even handier is Camden Street with its bohemian selection of cafes, food stores and flower shops.

The loft apartment will therefore have a broad appeal for arty types, as well as those with small families, and anyone generally looking for a stylish city-convenient pad.

Peter and Fiona's pad is also somewhat inspiring for those of us city dwellers lacking 'rooms with a view'.

"It might sound corny, but when you are not looking out at a sea vista or country landscape, having the white walls covered in colourful, dynamic paintings certainly gives you something to consider and is a delight to the eye."

Price: 690,000 Agent: Felicity Fox, 01-633 4431