The city has been given the first glimpse of Cubic – previously called Crystal House – now that the screens and scaffolding have been removed.

The building work started in August last year and there will be a mix of shops and 48 luxury apartments once the development is finished in June.

Glenn Sidall, of property consultants King Sturge, which has offices at the foot of the building, said: "September 2006 was when we first opened our doors and the building was hideous, it had no redeeming features. What we have done is completely gutted and refurbished it.

"It's modern, sleek and contemporary. And the main thing in terms of Preston is it's exterior. Everybody's been looking up, everybody's interested.

"Compared with how it looked 18 months ago, it is a 1,000% improvement."

In 1962 the Crystal House office block was built in place of the old town hall, next to the listed Miller Arcade and historic Harris Museum.

There was much public protest about the demolition and the site has been the subject of much controversy since.

Apartments costing between around £130,000 and £190,000 have already been sold to a city bar owner, local solicitors and investors who hope to rent them out.

But the multi-million pound overhaul has received mixed views.

George Egan, 79, of Calverley Street, Ribbleton, said: "The money they've spent on it, it should've been demolished. It's always been an eyesore."

Janice Bretherton, 61, of Miller Gardens, near Preston docks, said: "From what we can see at the moment, it's looking very modern. Personally I think it's quite a nice building but I'm not terribly convinced it's in the right place."

Shane I'Anson, 61, of New Hall Lane, said: "It's ugly, it always has been since the day it was built. They should've flattened it and built something else."

Kathy Killin, 31, of Maldon Place, Ribbleton, said: "It's been under wraps for ages so we're just getting to see it now. I think it looks miles better."

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