Investment in Bradford's fast developing city centre is approaching the £2 billion mark, the company spearheading its renaissance announced today.

The news comes just six months after Bradford Centre Regeneration (BCR) valued the city's regeneration at £1.5 billion.

Today Chief Executive Maud Marshall said: "The regeneration continues to gather pace and I am pleased to say, after reviewing investment into the city, we are now approaching the £2 billion mark."

The new figure includes developments - some still awaiting planning approval - such as: the £300 million Broadway shopping scheme; £470 million from reinstating the canal between Shipley and Bradford and bringing thousands of homes and jobs; £60 million plans for a city centre Bradford college campus; £15 million on the new Rawson Quarter market and revamp Hundreds of millions of pounds for thousands of new city centre apartments including phased development of Lister's Mill (£300 million); Beehive Mills (£60 million) and Eastbrook Hall (£8.5 million).

Russell Baker, chairman of Asquith Properties, whose company is investing £200 million in the city with new apartments and conversions said: "We are fully committed and geared to Bradford for the next five years. We are a one-city developer." His company - which is currently developing its futuristic £22 million Gate Haus apartments complex in Leeds Road - has already created developments across the city which were sold out before they were completed.

BCR launched its "Birth of a New City" theme with a £300,000 advertising campaign, symbolised by a flock of storks delivering bundles of bricks.

The images were seen on billboards, at cinemas and in publications across Britain.

BCR also attended the international MIPIM property development conference launching the city's plans on the world stage. BCR boss Maud Marshall said: "Following our success at MIPIM, we will build on our achievements and plan to attend the event again next year, equipped with more exciting announcements and ambitious regeneration plans to take forward the vision of Bradford and shape the future of the city."

More multi-million-pound projects are expected to come on stream as Bradford Council and BCR adopt a new master plan for the city based on the visionary blueprint produced by international architect Will Alsop three years ago. It includes plans for new urban villages, an iconic bridge and lake around City Hall.

Policy executive for Bradford Chamber of Commerce Mike Cartwrignt said: "We always knew more interest would be created following the details of the master plan. That is now turning into real money and there is probably more still in the pipeline which can only be good for Bradford's people and businesses."

Bradford Council's executive member for the economy Councillor Simon Cooke said: "This figure is fantastic and shows investors are eager to come into Bradford."