Glenkerrin Homes has launched a further 30 units this weekend and viewers can see firsthand whether these upmarket habitats live up to the classy posters courtesy of three show-apartments kitted out by Northern interior design company Deluxe.

Architects O'Mahoney Pike have created contemporary apartments with floor-to-ceiling glazing, clean white decor, open-plan living/dining areas, functional fitted kitchens, hotel-standard bathrooms and spacious balconies.

Completion date for these units is spring 2008. So far 220 units have been sold at the development, mainly to owner-occupiers.

When phase three (currently before planning) goes ahead, there will be close to 550 homes in the complete development.

Buyer confidence, however, has dipped significantly over the past year. Are those seekers of swish apartments still out there in the same numbers?

Selling agents Savills HOK are very upbeat, citing the evidence that anything already built has been sold. "It is in a property climate such as this one that the astute buyer makes a move. The current buyer profile at The Grange is owner-occupier but there is now a huge demand for short-term rents, so we could see the investor coming back to the market.

"There are only 30 units launched this time and we would be very happy if they sold by Christmas, " says negotiator Catherine O'Connor, stressing the development's high spec, its south Dublin location and, most importantly, its much-vaunted selling point . . . the 24-hour concierge service.

Ray Grehan, the high-profile developer who heads up Glenkerrin Homes, says the big difference between this and other developments is that Glenkerrin will also run the management company which includes the concierge service. The annual fee is around 1,900 for a two-bed apartment.

For any 'time-poor' buyers wondering how they will keep their stylish homes at The Grange looking chic and glossy, the answer is that those niggling, boring chores . . . from cleaning and ironing, to ordering taxis or booking theatre tickets . . . all come under the remit of the concierge.

It's a service, let's face it, that most of us dream about. But what sort of person is ideal for a role which we associate more with the New York loft? The 21st-century answer, for Glenkerrin Homes, is a hotel management graduate, and former professional rugby player.

Enter Ted Robinson, the 29year-old who once led the field for Connaught but now leads the dedicated concierge team as general manager of The Grange Life Style.

Robinson lives onsite and fulfils the role of home personal assistant for the new residents. "I want to be the best next-door neighbour they have, always there on a 24-hour basis to answer questions or solve any maintenance or housekeeping queries they may have.

"The company sees how life has changed in Dublin, with people very pushed for time in terms of work and leisure. We can help free up owners to enjoy greater leisure time . . . but without cleaning, ironing or staying in to wait for a delivery. The concierge service is still at an early stage, with new owners now beginning to move in, but I'm hugely confident it will work really well. I'm there round the clock, ready to help . . . even if I get a call at 3am in the morning."

It almost sounds like he's going to be everyone's mum and dad, then? "Well, no . . . maybe their helpful younger brother!"

The lowdown

Address: The Grange, Brewery Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin
Details: 30 one- and two- bed apartments, (606sq ft/820sq ft respectively), and three-bed penthouses, (from 1,074 sq ft ); spacious entrance halls; open-plan living/dining rooms; custom designed kitchens with full appliances; Shires/Adagio fitted en-suites and bathrooms; bespoke fitted wardrobes; plasma screens in master bedrooms; spacious balconies; underground parking (included in price)
Highlights: Dedicated 24-hour concierge Price: One-bed apartments from 470,000; two bed apartments from 660,000; and three-bed penthouses from 1.1m to 1.4m
Viewing: Sunday; 1pm-5 pm
Agent: Savills HOK 01- 618 1300