The City of Hamilton will later this year experience a whole new concept in living with the opening of a new plush apartment block in the heart of the town centre.

Developer and former Premier Sir John Swan held a roof-wetting ceremony yesterday at the Atlantis site on Victoria Street and predicted that city dwellings were the way to go for the growing Island.

He said if Government wanted to reduce congestion on the roads and add vibrancy to the City then it needed to encourage more people to live in the heart of the Island.

And he said he doubted his new housing development would be the last for Hamilton.

The opening of Atlantis in October or November this year will add a further 60 apartments to the dwindling list of available new properties on the market, and will offer spacious living areas with a number of amenities, including heated pool, roof deck, gymnasium and deli.

And although sales have not even begun yet, he said interest had already been high - with one interested customer turning up at the office with a $100,000 deposit, regardless of the price.

"We have had a lot of interest, but we are not putting them up for sale, right now," said Sir John.

"People can come and see what's being offered. No one has ever seen a city apartment block like this."

Sir John said the idea of the town centre development came into his mind in 2000 when he awoke in the middle of the night.

He said: "This property had been up for sale for 22 or 23 years and no one knew what to do about it. "One time I woke up at about 2.30 in the morning and I could see this building. I immediately got up and started to sketch it. I then got some architects' advice and they said it was perfect. That was what started the whole thing; It was a vision I had."

The complex, which will be equipped with full security, CCTV and a custodian, will comprise of 30 one-bedroomed apartments and 30 two-bedroomed.

They are housed in an eight-storey structure and each has at least one balcony, fully fitted maple kitchens with all appliances, wooden floors, walk-in closets, separate utility rooms and double glazing.

But to add that extra touch, all of the floors and ceilings are sound insulated, the apartments have individual climate control, individual hot water tanks, and are pre-wired for cable TV, high speed Internet and telephones.

Built by BCM McAlpine and designed by architects from Linberg and Simmons, Sir John said the complex was the first "syndicated" type of its kind, having been funded by Bank of Bermuda, Fire Marine and Capital G bank. Architect Colin Floyd said the original deadline had to be put back slightly due to usual delays like weather, but he said everyone was on schedule to meet the new completion date in autumn.

He said: "We were given the original concept from the developer and we just took that and designed the building around it.

"It's been going very well, and we have got an excellent team on board. The general contractor and sub contractors have done a great job. I think the apartments will sell very well. First of all, they are a new product on the market and they are the first residential complex of their kind in the City. I know Sir John is very excited about it, and I don't necessarily think this project will be the last for Hamilton.

"The good thing about it is that it's meeting some of the concerns on the Island that are being expressed by planners about Bermuda's available space.

"It's relieving pressure on land resources, and, of course, having people working and living in the City will reduce the pressure on traffic."