Homebuyers throughout Bradford are increasingly investing in lifestyle properties rather than the traditional terraced home.

According to latest figures released by the Land Registry, the price of flats sold in the district has soared in comparison to terraced houses.

In 1999, the average cost of a flat in Bradford was £47,000 compared to the average terraced house at £39,000. Three years later, prices for the average flat have risen 41 per cent to £67,000 while terraced prices have risen to a more modest £47,000.

Richard Morton, director of Landmark Development Projects, believes that city centre living in Bradford can potentially reflect the success Leeds is experiencing.

"A decade ago the people who are now living and spending their money in Leeds were spending it in Harrogate. Realistically, in eight or nine years time, Bradford might well see the same thing happen in their district. It takes time," he said.

The company is near to completing 91 flats in the city centre. Eighty-three of these one and two-bedroom flats, priced from £55,000 to £85,000, have been sold. Mr Morton said: "The former Provincial House will be made into bars and restaurants and there are other city centre developments in the pipeline. This will create major changes to the city."

The increased interest in apartment living can be attributed to a variety of factors.

Developers have had to increase the number of houses built per acre due to changes in legislation so that limited green space is taken up by housing.

Collette Gannon, sales manager of Oak Apple Homes which develops out of town areas, said that apartment living was becoming more popular. The company's latest developments are in Drighlington.

She said: "A real mix of people are interested in this style of living. It's not just the young and trendy lifestyle people are after. Maintenance of an apartment is easier than a house with a garden, so they can spend their time doing other things."

Keith Smith, of Sharpes estate agents and a former president of the National Association of Estate Agents, said that although the letting market of flats was buoyant, the trend seemed to apply only to certain hot spots in the district.