THE developer behind a new £25 million city-centre housing scheme has brought forward the next wave of sales, following the "resounding success" of its first phase.

Rushbond said it has received local, regional, national and international buying interest for its St Leonard's Place development, which will see the Grade II listed regency crescent, and the former headquarters of City of York Council, become five town houses, 29 apartments and six mews homes.

Mark Finch, director of Real Estate at Rushbond, said: "St Leonard’s Place, being surrounded by York’s finest buildings and fabulous parks, has such a rich heritage that we hoped it would be of interest to people wanting to live in the heart of the city and it certainly is proving to be.

"The scheme has undoubtedly captured the imagination of a huge variety of local, regional, national and international buyers, with nearly all of the first release already sold.

"It was fitting to hold our launch event at the Yorkshire Museum, another wonderful building in the neighbouring Museum Gardens, attracting key representatives from both York’s and the region’s business community alongside a number of potential buyers."

Savills in York is marketing the scheme and will now be launching the next sales release today, which includes a further mix of town houses, mews homes and apartments.

Tanya Coffey of Savills in York said: "Our expectations of interest, given the quality of the property and its location were high, but the level of enquiries we have experienced has surpassed all of our expectations.

"With several properties going to best bids, nearly all of the first homes released are now committed, with just a few homes available for reservation.

"The next release will consist of a further mix of amazing homes, including the much anticipated release of a corner apartment in No 1 St Leonard’s Place, as well as apartments within the Museum Street frontage."

With prices ranging from £267,000 to £1.58 million, the first occupants are set to move in to phase one next summer, with phase two due to be completed by next September.