TEN years ago we were allowed inside one of Newport's most iconic buildings as it underwent a transformation from derelict shell to an upmarket apartment complex.

The restoration had seen years of delays but it eventually it was brought back to life and is a very popular place for people to live now.

The Newport Technical Institute, as it was then, was officially opened in September 1910 by then-Newport mayor William Blackburn.

South Wales Argus: The old art college on Clarence Place, Newport

Newport College of Art

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDER MARK OLDING , 32 , WALKING DOWN THE MAIN STAIRS AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builder Mark Olding walking down the main stairs at the former Newport Art College

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDER DAVE MASON , 29 , IN A KITCHEN AREA AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builder Dave Mason in a kitchen area at the former Newport Art College in Clarence Place

The building was described at the time as a remarkable example of early-20th-century architecture in “the modern classic style”.

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It continued as the Newport and Monmouthshire College of Art in 1958, but the art school moved to Caerleon in the 1990s.

Left empty, the building became rat-infested and was hit by a succession of arson attacks.

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDER MARK OLDING , 32 , IN ONE OF THE LOBBY AREAS AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builder Mark Olding in one of the lobby areas at the former Newport Art College

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDERS L-R- STEVE GEORGE , 44 , MARK OLDING , 32 , IN ONE OF THE FLATS AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builders Steve George and Mark Olding in one of the flats at the former Newport Art College

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDERS L-R- STEVE GEORGE , 44 , AND DARREN STARR , 42 , WALKING DOWN THE MAIN STAIRS AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builders Steve George and Darren Starr walking dwon the main stairs at the former Newport Art College

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDER STEVE GEORGE , 44 , WALKING DOWN THE MAIN STAIRS AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builder Steve George walking down the main stairs at the former Newport Art College

Plans emerged in 2003 to turn it into 63 flats with four penthouse apartments – but work didn’t begin to safeguard the site until 2007.

The previous owners faced financial troubles, though, and the building was taken on by receivers, under whom the redevelopment has been completed.

The flats finally went on sale in 2012 priced from £69,995 to £115,000.

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDER MARK OLDING , 32 , IN A LIVING ROOM AREA AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builder Mark Olding in a living room area at the former Newport Art College

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS L-R- BUILDERS STEVE GEORGE , 44, AND MARK OLDING , 32 , ON THE PENTHOUSE BALCONY AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builders Steve George and Mark Olding on the penthouse balcony at the former Newport Art College in Clarence Place

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDER MARK OLDING , 32 , IN IN ONE OF THE FLATS AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builder Mark Olding in one of the flats at the former Newport Art College

South Wales Argus: CB 26.1.11 REPORTER DAVE DEANS BUILDER MARK OLDING , 32 , IN THE LOBBY AREA AT THE OLD NEWPORT ART COLLEGE AT CLARENCE PLACE WHICH IS BEING RENOVATED INTO APARTMENTS.

Builder Mark Olding in the lobby area at the former Newport Art College

The green copper dome at the top of the building was converted into a wide circular room with kitchen units installed which is large enough to be used as a lounge area.

If you wanted to move into the complex now, there is a two-bedroom ground floor apartment currently on the market with Number One, of Newport, for £135,000.