One of the most exclusive and expensive flats ever seen in the Bradford area is being offered for sale for £500,000.

The luxury penthouse complete with rooftop garden is on offer at the Victoria Mill development in Shipley.

The 2,000 square feet space will overlook Baildon moors and will have views to the north and south of the mill complex which is being developed by Newmason Properties.

And the buyer will be able to design the apartment exactly as they please.

It has been hailed as one of the most important developments in the Aire Valley and a sign of its continued regeneration.

Councillor Simon Cooke, Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration, said the price tag did not surprise him: "The Victoria Mills development is a fantastic development and what impresses me is not just that it's being developed but the quality and specifications are very high.

"This demonstrates what a shift there has been over the past five to seven years, not only in the Shipley area but across the whole of Bradford.

"And what's marvellous about this is not only that mills, which quite frankly are never going to be used again for the purpose they were built for, are being brought back into use and that a lovely building has been preserved, but also that it takes pressure off the green belt for development.

"There's no where that is more important than in the Aire Valley."

Managing director of Newmason, Andrew Mason, said: "This is the first apartment we are putting on the market. It is a very large apartment on the fourth floor, with its own lift. It is a very big apartment, about the size of four-bedroom semi-detached house in an elevated position with tremendous views."

The flat has the original roof trusses exposed and large French windows opening onto a roof-top garden with a seated area.

At the moment it is an empty, large space and the purchaser would be able to determine the number and size of the rooms and its layout.

"We want to sit down with the purchaser and help design it so they can have a serious input," Mr Mason said.

He added the price tag reflected the direction Shipley and Bradford was going.

John Shaw, agent for Dacre, Son and Hartley, which is marketing the development by Newmason Properties, said the apartments were unique.

"It is a very prestigious development and not just important for the immediate area, it is important for the whole of West Yorkshire.

"This is on the fringe of the Bradford urban area and there is nothing quite like it in the district. What is really exciting is it is more suburban than the city living apartments but has fantastic transport links."

It is envisaged the owner of the penthouse will be able to move into the property late next year or early 2006. The first occupiers of the complex should move in just before this Christmas.

The complex will boast a range of superior features, including a concierge facility, a riverside walk, outdoor jogging path, tennis courts, a gymnasium and CCTV security.

Prices for apartments at the 130-year-old mill start from £139,950 for a one-bedroom apartment.