A SINGLE property investor has bought more than 130 apartments at two separate York developments in deals totalling £25 million.

Entrepreneur Nick Rampley-Sturgeon yesterday exchanged contracts on 62 out of 68 apartments being sold privately at Fulford Place in Fulford Road.

He confirmed that he had previously acquired all 70 apartments at Heron Court, behind Lawrence Street and Foss Islands Road.

He also revealed that he is planning to use some of the Fulford Place flats to create York's first "apart-hotel" - a cross between an apartment and a hotel, where executives relocating to York or coming to the city on secondment could stay for a period.

"There could be a twice-weekly maid service, with the fridge re-stocked every Sunday night," he said.

The extraordinary deals to buy the two complexes - thought to be unprecedented in York - come during a period of massive flat-building activity on any brownfield site that becomes available in the city.

Hunters estate agents, which handled both sales, said they confounded the doom merchants who predicted a sudden and dramatic end to the property boom, bringing problems such as negative equity.

Director Keith Hollinrake said that while the market had quietened down after last year's dramatic price rises, it was still buoyant, with demand increasing slightly again in the last three months.

"Negative equity is not going to happen, because the supply cannot meet the demand," he said.

Mr Rampley-Sturgeon, who is also buying 80 apartments in Leeds, said he lived in the South but planned to live in North Yorkshire.

He said he had always loved York since he came camping here as a teenager, and his admiration of the cultural and social side of the city had influenced his decision to invest here, along with the clear need for more accommodation for professionals and executives working in York and Leeds.

He said his plans for both the York complexes involved selling some on to client investors, putting others on the open market and letting other ones out. At Fulford Place, the apartments will start at £160,000. Both complexes have some affordable housing that will go to housing associations.

Mr Rampley-Sturgeon will be one of the guest speakers at a free property investors exhibition on October 23 at the Ebor Suite at York Racecourse, details for which are available from Hunters.

Who is Nick Rampley-Sturgeon?

Born: Nottingham, 1963.

Educated: Local comprehensive, then degree in Latin American Politics and Economics at Portsmouth Polytechnic and Mexico.

Early career: Human resources management at IBM, then worked at NatWest International's Latin American division.

How did he become a property investor? Bought first property in south London 13 years ago. Three months later, property market collapsed and he rented out rooms. Gradually built up portfolio, with business really taking off in last three years.

What does he own so far? Fulford Place, Heron Court, 12 apartments in Wetherby. Is buying 80 in Leeds and 105 in Bristol. Wants to invest in property in Scarborough and Hull, and flew today to Spain with Hunters to look at potential investments.

How much is he worth? He prefers not to say.

Updated: 11:29 Wednesday, September 10, 2003