Historic homes look like big Salt seller!

The Victoria Road hospital, founded for sick villagers by Saltaire's creator, Sir Titus Salt, and opened in 1868, is being converted into 16 luxury apartments. Even before the first is ready to move into, the developer and estate agents have received more than 200 inquiries from people throughout the country.

Public viewing sessions of the Sir Titus Salt Apartments are to be staged every weekend with those visiting the Grade II-listed building getting a chance to look at two penthouse loft-style apartments and a first floor two-bedroom flat.

Apartments feature the building's original wooden beams, banisters and windows, combining 19th century architecture with modern interiors including fitted kitchens and bathrooms.

Peter Leadbeater, branch manager at Dacre, Son and Hartley's Saltaire office, said: "We've had more than 200 applications for details from people all over the country and one woman even travelled from Ross-on-Wye to have a look round.

"She's retiring and looking to move to the area because she has family here and heard about the development through the signs and articles in the Telegraph & Argus. I think people are being attracted by the historic nature of the building and we're excited to be able to put them on the market.''

General interest in properties in the village is high and if Saltaire is made a World Heritage Site - the decision is expected in December - values could soar.

Paul Cookson, of Bingley-based Paul Cookson Developments, said he was delighted with the result of the project to breathe new life into the building. "The amount of interest has been amazing with people from as far away as Glasgow, London and Essex asking for details.''

The one and two-bedroom flats are priced between £89,000 and £139,000 with the first phase of six apartments set to be completed by mid-summer and the remaining ten homes due to be finished by the end of the year.