The most expensive flat ever sold in Canterbury has been snapped up for an eye-watering £1 million – before it’s even finished.

The luxury four-bedroom home, which boasts views of the Cathedral, takes up almost an entire floor in a newly-converted office block in Beer Cart Lane.

Its record price tag reflects the growing demand for property in the city, particularly from foreign investors, says developer Mark Quinn.

Previously home to county council offices, the 1970s building has been transformed into 14 apartments and eight office suites with 45 parking spaces – all of which have been sold before completion.

The priciest is the biggest, a 2,500sq ft third-floor apartment which was snapped up off-plan within three months of the scheme being launched two years ago.

The “warehouse-inspired” development is due to be finished at the end of next month, with the new owners moving in shortly after.

Mr Quinn said: “It’s an absolutely stunning apartment which wouldn’t look out of place in Mayfair.

“It occupies most of the third floor and has every conceivable luxury, with all four bedrooms en-suite, Italian marble throughout and the very best fixtures and fittings and technology. The large private terrace is simply stunning and will be a great place to relax.

“Basically, we were able to work with the client to specify the apartment how they wanted it. Anyone going in there would be blown away by it.”

Mr Quinn says the property now contains the nine most expensive flats in Canterbury, with two roof top penthouses selling for around £600,000 and the cheapest apartment still a wallet-busting £335,000.

Several have been snapped up by Middle Eastern and Cayman Island buyers.

He added: “This is a building that stood empty for four years because planning permission to turn it into residential was twice refused.

“But what we have now is a fabulous mix of residential and commercial which I think will really lift the area. The office suites will also actually generate around 60 jobs and provide a huge boost to the local economy.”

Businesses moving into the office space include high-end electronics firm Bang and Olufsen, a computer game developer, an interior designer and an investment company.

Among other developments in the city centre snapped up before completion is a terrace of town houses and flats being built by Rogate in St Peter’s Lane.