Ben designs dresses from London that are worn by top celebrities on both sides of the Atlantic. Actress Kate Winslet is currently starring in the satellite TV show Project Catwalk wearing his designs. He has taken time out to individually design the Leeds apartments, including their "Ben de Lisi" branded bathrooms - in what the developer hopes will be the first of a number of collaborations.

The Leeds development at The Place, Harrogate Road, is being built by Opel Construction of Harrogate. It will be unveiled to the public over the weekend of March 17 and 18. The developers say the final prices of the apartments have yet to be decided but the sales team at harrogate- based Avenir has already taken more than 250 enquiries.

In the three days leading up to the launch, Ben and his team will be working flat out to put the finishing touches to the show apartmentand marketing suite. He said " This is a very exciting project for me. Instead of creating a designer dress I 'm creating a designer address here in Leeds. " With less than a month until the show apartment and marketing suite is unveiled to the public it's all systems go - and it's my job to ensure thay look perfect. "It's just as demending as putting a collection together for a major fashion show."

Avenir Properties' sales co-ordinator, Amanda Brayshaw, said: " We are thrilled that Ben is working with us to create something unique. He has been involved in this project from the start. He has been on site a number of times to check on progress, and will be there in person for the opening weekend."

Yorkshire Evening Post, City Life, Friday 2 March 2007