Orchard Homes, one of the south coast's leading house builders, has announced that only five houses remain at its popular Elkins Square development in Bishopstoke. To make these exceptional properties even more affordable, Orchard has also announced that it will pay the stamp duty on the last two remaining four bedroom homes.

Plans for Orchard Homes' proposed new 25-storey residential development on Royal Crescent Road have caused excitement amongst property professionals and investors having been launched at a public exhibition held in the Solent Sky Museum.

The plans reveal how the new 75-metre high tower will take centre stage as one of the city's tallest and most impressive apartment buildings ever constructed here and looks set to transform Southampton's skyline forever.

With contemporary aluminium and glass frontage, the state-of-the-art building will be seen from miles around and offer incredible views across Southampton Water and over the Solent for residents of the 202 apartments it will house.

Built on the former Cedar Press site between Royal Crescent Road and Salt Marsh Road, the tower will boast 141 one-bed, 59 two-bed and two three-bed apartments and space for 55 cars and 200 bicycles. Land has even been designated for a convenience store on the 0.6 acre site to make life even easier for the lucky residents who will be just a stone's throw from local shops and bars and just a short distance from the city centre.

Planning Manager, Mark Sennit was quick to declare the project 'is going to be a landmark site for Southampton and will complement the exciting scheme over the water on the former Vosper Thornycroft site'.

Architect Tony Oldfield described the building as an aesthetic triumph: 'The sharp end of the building will face the Itchen Bridge and it's been designed as a focal point for people coming into the city and, from inside the tower, residents will have unparalleled views for miles around.'

Building work should take up to two years to complete and will commence in Spring 2009 if the planning application to Southampton City Council is approved.