Work is nearly complete on a new multi-million pound hotel and Marco Pierre White restaurant in Durham.
Barriers surrounding the Old Shire Hall on Old Elvet have finally come down after months of construction work.
The Grade II listed building is being been converted into an 83-bed Hotel Indigo and Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill.
Brims Construction will hand the keys over in the coming weeks.
The hotel, which will be managed by Interstate Hotels and Resorts, will welcome its first guest at the start of April.
Luke Balcombe, sales and marketing manager, said: “We have started to get deliveries of plates, pillows, cutlery, things like that.
“Any snagging issues will be sorted, we will dress the rooms and carry out the finishing touches.”
Despite undergoing a £15m transformation, visitors will still get a taste of the building’s history.
It was most recently Durham County Council’s headquarters, but has lain empty since the local authority moved in 2012.
Period features such as the tiled marble staircase, wood panelling and stained glass windows will be retained.
A circular debating chamber and lobby room are now the new restaurant, which can sit 100, and cocktail bar.
Each of the rooms have been carefully thought out the reflect the city’s history.
Luke said: “This collegiate room has a carpet in the colour of the Durham University’s tie, there are books and a map of the university’s campus.
“We have used local suppliers to stock our mini fridges.
“We really want guests to get a feel for the area.”
There are pictures throughout the hotel of popular Durham events, such as the Miners’ Gala.
Staff have also received training so they can advisor guests on where to go in the city.
Luke added: “We have really used Instagram and social media to show that Durham is a destination to visit.”
The development, which has been designed by architects Howarth Litchfield, will also include a Tinderbox coffee shop and function room that can be used for weddings, conference and events.
Luke said it has been amazing to see the transformation of the building take place.
“It has been great,” he said. “I have been lucky enough to see it before it was touched, to construction work taking place, to it now being a hotel. It has been an amazing experience.”