THE final bolt has been put in place in a multi-million building project trans- forming an area of Hartcliffe.

A topping-out ceremony yesterday signalled the completion of the main building frame at Lakeshore, in Hartcliffe Way, in the former Imperial Tobacco factory.

It was led by Tom Bloxham MBE, chairman of the developers Urban Splash, and David Warburton, head of area of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), who invested almost £17.5 million in the project.

Hundreds of people deposited tens of thousands of pounds with Urban Splash once news broke that the work on the derelict site would transform it into 400 flats.

After several delays, work is now on track for the first residents to move into the scheme in spring 2011.

Mr Bloxham said: "It has been a long and tough journey but today marks a significant point in the development of Lakeshore. We're proud of what's been achieved so far. The roof has gone on now and we're looking forward to getting this complete for the first people to move in.

"We've worked with the HCA to provide a range of homes here and we know we will be creating a true community."

Mr Warburton added: "This project really has been the sleeping giant tucked away and now new life is breaking. As people know, this old site was derelict and run down. Lakeshore is part of our wider efforts to regenerate south Bristol and it is a great example of what we are trying to achieve. It is so important in the regeneration of the whole of the city."

The Imperial Tobacco plant was built in 1974 and became an iconic part of Bristol's industrial heritage. Its Corten steel structure was originally designed by American architects Skidmore Owings Merril, who were inspired by the modernist pioneer Mies Van Der Rohe.

Derelict since the 1990s, various schemes came and went for the site, including an idea for film studios.

Three years ago, Urban Splash bought the site and, with architects Ferguson Mann, started work on apartments. Hundreds of homes are being created and green technology, including eco-friendly geothermal heating systems, have helped the building achieve an "excellent" ecohomes rating.