YOU DON’T GET many properties on Coliemore Road in Dalkey, Co Dublin, priced to appeal to first-time buyers, but number 1A, a big duplex apartment with sea views is asking €200,000 through Knight Frank.

But there’s a catch. The service charge is an eye-watering €6,497 – the equivalent of more than six months’ mortgage repayments for many or enough to furnish the place from top to bottom.

At least it’s not as expensive as the €13,000 service charge attached to Apartment Q, a three- bed penthouse in the same development, which went on the market in October 2010 asking €1.7 million.

Part of the reason the service charge is so stratospheric is there is a caretaker on site.

Once the Dalkey Island hotel, it was redeveloped in 2000 by local businessman Jim Delaney. The hotel was demolished and replaced by a block of luxurious duplexes and apartments, all of them gazing to sea towards Dalkey Island.

At that time, two bedroom apartments sold for prices ranging from €675,000 to £875,000.

Number 1A is has two designated car spaces. It is 126sq m (1,356sq ft) with a hall, two double bedrooms and a main bathroom that’s en suite. Upstairs there’s an open-plan kitchen/living room with a large balcony.

1A Coliemore Road, Dalkey, Co Dublin

Duplex apartment with sea views

Agent:Knight Frank