Ukrainian man behind string of Charlotte Sq purchases

A UKRAINIAN property tycoon has been revealed as the mystery figure behind a string of big-money purchases in Charlotte Square.

Yury Lopatinsky, a leading figure in Moscow's financial scene since the mid-1990s, is the key player behind three deals, including the purchase of the National Trust for Scotland's flagship headquarters, it was reported today.

His investment fund, which is based in Bermuda, has recently joined forces with another Bermuda-based firm, Fordell, to snap up two other major chunks of Charlotte Square, which is also home of Bute House, the official residence of First Minister Alex Salmond.

Lopatinsky is also believed to be eyeing a number of other sites, including on Princes Street, it was reported today.

The purchases on Charlotte Square are thought to be his first foray into the UK property market.

The newly snapped up sites – at 13-14 Charlotte Square and 18-23 Charlotte Square – were brought from a UK-based investment fund, JO Hambro, for an undisclosed sum within the past few weeks.