CONSTRUCTION work has finished on a state-of-the-art music institute at the Waterfront as it prepares to welcome its first students.

The Cable Plaza building on the Waterfront Business Park has been completely refurbished after lying empty for eight years.

Birmingham-based contractors Overbury has handed over the keys to building, with the finishing touches now being made before open days are held to welcome prospective students.

The £9.5 million institute includes a mixture of classrooms, lecture theatres, recording studios, practice rooms and a radio station.

David Barnard, co-director at Resonance, said: “The building looks fantastic. Overbury has done a wonderful job. The project was completed on time and to budget.

“Now comes the fun part, breathing life and music into this amazing institute.”

The brand new institute will offer undergraduate degrees in subjects including popular music performance, music production and the music business, with open days taking place from March to July.

Andrew Wood, Managing Director at Birmingham-based Overbury, said: “Resonance has been a fantastic project for us to work on, and we’re proud to have been part of this remarkable transformation.

“We wish Resonance all the best in the future and hope its students enjoy the facilities.”

Applications to Resonance are now being accepted and must be made directly through the institute via its website.