Half of all £1 million-plus new-build property sales in prime central London went to foreign buyers in the last 12 months.
Some 49% of prime central London buyers were foreign by nationality in the 12 months to June 2013, of whom 28% were non-resident in the UK.
Foreign buyers are snapping up property in the relatively concentrated central London postcodes, said Knight Frank, which has compiled its first detailed estimate of international purchase activity in Greater London's new-build housing market.
UK still residents form the large majority of buyers in Greater London but they are being pushed to the fringes, accounting for more than eight out of 10 new-build property buyers in inner London, and more than nine out of 10 properties in outer London.
Knight Frank estimates that over the past two years 85% to 90% of all new-build purchases in Greater London have been to UK residents. It said there was no evidence of a shift towards a higher number of non-resident purchases over the period.
Buyers typically came from Europe, the Middle East and Russia.
Separately, research from Cluttons showed that London retains its ranking as the number one destination for wealthy buyers seeking a safe haven for their money, ahead of Dubai and Singapore.
Lifestyle and quality of education were key attractioin, while the UK's current tax regime poses no concern for overseas investors, Cluttons said.
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