Property developer and former Premier Sir John Swan will assess demand for his Atlantis flats which go on sale this month before deciding what to do with his Seon Place lot.

The 14,000 square-foot site, near Dismont Robinson liquor store on Front Street has been vacant for more than 20 years ever since the controversial demolition of a picturesque two-storey building in the 1980s.

In 1992 Sir John obtained planning permission for a huge eight-floor office and shopping complex, complete with a marble entrance with waterfalls, a pool and an underground car park.

Planning permission was re-approved in 1996 but Sir John doubts any work will start this year.

He said: ?We are taking one at a time, right now the focus is the apartments at Atlantis.?

The multi-million dollar development on Victoria Street will offer 28 one-bedroomed apartments and 30 two-bedroomed apartments plus a custodian?s apartment.

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.

Amenities include a heated pool, roof deck, gymnasium and a deli.

?I think people will be very pleased ? it?s the first swimming pool built in the city,? said Sir. John.

Two customers have paid a deposit despite the fact that Sir John has yet to name a price.

All 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.

Sir John said: ?They have the latest technology with a secure line right through to your computer at your office.?

A video buzzer will allow residents to see who is trying to gain access.

He refused to say how much the project has cost. The grand opening is planned for around January 19 said Sir John.

?I am very excited but not nervous ? if they don?t sell Bermuda has big problems.

?It?s the first time an apartment block of this magnitude has been built in the city. I think a lot of people are waiting to see what happens to this project.?

He said options for the Seon site include building the office complex which already has planning permission, building apartments, building a mix of offices and apartments, dividing the lot into three for sale and selling the site in its entirety.

Sir John Swan said his ?On the Waterfront? competition aimed at boosting Hamilton?s harbour has brought forward a wealth of exciting ideas which he hopes to exhibit in No. 6 Shed next month.

Prize money of $70,000 will be split between an under-18 entrant and a professional entrant.

Sir John said: ?We have 50 submissions we are cataloguing before putting them on display in February.

?I think people will be pleasantly surprised about the diversity of submissions. It?s very encouraging. There?s an awful lot of originality.?

Sir John has long campaigned for Hamilton Harbour to be opened up to developments able to attract visitors.

His own ideas include a performance centre, a convention centre, additional shops and possibly a casino to draw tourists and international business.

He said: ?From a tourist?s point of view Bermuda is beautiful but it?s dull, we need to take that dullness out of it.?

Tourists are now more choosy and are used to shorter vacations said Sir John and needed to be catered to in order to keep them satisfied.