Workers – from plumbers and carpenters to builders and electricians – joined councillors and MPs to celebrate the handover of the new Colston Hall foyer to the city council.

Some of the men and women who spent 20 months on the £20-million project hurled their hard hats into the air to mark the completion of the city skyline's brightest feature.

People can get a sneak preview at an open day on May 16, and the building will open to the public in September once the bars and cafes have been fitted out.

Buton Monday representatives from the Arts Council, which helped fund the golden copper-clad building, joined the building's architect, Axel Burrough, to look behind the scenes and meet the workers who built it.

The Arts Council donated £7m to the project in a series of grants, with the remaining £13.5m coming from Bristol City Council and £30,000 from EDF Energy for the roof's wind turbine.

Speaking at the handover, Arts Council chairman Sir Chris Clarke said: "The Colston Hall has been regarded with huge affection by performers and audiences in Bristol for many years, but as with everything the hall has needed to keep pace with change.

"The success of this development is testament to the commitment and energy of all those involved over this time."

"Walking up to the building today was a great pleasure. The first thing you notice is the striking exterior, and when inside it's the sense of space and the connection between the old and new.

"Our investment shows again our continued commitment to support the development of the arts in this city.

"This new building will help to reach out to the people of Bristol, and it proves that some of the most exciting opportunities for artists and the creative industries nationally and internationally continue to be found in the South West."

Axel Burrough, senior architect with the firm Levitt Bernstein, which designed the new foyer, said it was a proud moment for him to be at the ceremony.

Mr Burrough, who was brought up in Bristol, said: "We started this process back in 2001 and it is what we have been working on for a long time, so is a great moment for us.

"It is very interesting to come back to a city you know well, but it is an additional responsibility to do the right thing for Bristolians.

"I am looking forward to when it opens to the public. The great moment is when your building gets used and when people enjoy them. That is what buildings are all about."

Councillor Simon Cook, deputy leader and cabinet member for culture, sport and capital projects, said: "I'm pleased and proud to be a part of this prestigious and exciting development.

"The completion day is one more step to us being able to open up the new building.

Stephen Williams, Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West, was among those invited for the tour, and said the new foyer made a great addition to the cityscape.

He said: "It is a place that really needs to be packed with people to be seen at its best, and it will be really atmospheric when it is filled with 1,500 people.

"Now we need to move on to the next phase and revamp part of the existing older building so there isn't a contrast between the new and older facilities."

The foyer includes new box office facilities, performance and exhibition spaces, rehearsal and recording studios, workshop areas, cafes and improved disabled access.

Work was completed on time – and on budget – by contractors Willmott Dixon.

Operations director John Boughton said staff were proud to have been involved in the project.

He said: "To have completed the Colston Hall project on time, to such a high standard of quality and within budget is testament to the commitment and skills of not only Willmott Dixon but Bristol City Council, their design team and our suppliers and sub-contractors."