Revamped Rotunda is taking shape

The stripped-down Rotunda dominates the skyline

A landmark 1960s Birmingham city centre building being turned into luxury flats has shed its cladding as part of the revamp.

The final outer layer of the Rotunda has been removed to reveal the spine of the structure.

All 20 storeys of the Grade II-listed building have been stripped of their 40-year-old cladding and windows.

It is part of its reinvention by the developer, Urban Splash. More than 230 apartments in the building have sold.

They were snapped up within two hours of going on sale in October. Formerly used as offices, demolition started in September last year to prepare for the new look.

There will be one and two-bed apartments on 19 floors, with six penthouses on top.

Tom Bloxham MBE, group chairman of Urban Splash said: "They say life begins at 40 and the Rotunda is testament to that."

The first homes are set to be ready at the end of the next year with the whole project completed in 2008.