SEVEN years after planning began to bring a multi-million pound transformation to Essex Cricket Ground, developers have marked their progress with a 'topping out' ceremony.
Held at the top of Tower A, Tuesday's ceremony was held to signify that the first building had reached its highest point.
Tower A is the first of four such towers to be built that will provide about 350 new homes in the area of New Writtle Street, in Chelmsford, and cost upwards of £85 million by the time of completion.
The land, which was just overgrown shrubbery in March, will also include 15,000 sq. ft. of retail and leisure facilities surrounding a new public piazza area, all served by a new pedestrian bridge across the River Can, providing improved routes through to Central Park and the town centre.
Nick Bache, Essex-based operations director at developer Kier Group, said: "This is a huge milestone for us to get to this point and a journey years in the making.
"I know the area well and I always thought that the plot would have made a nice job. It's in a great location and in a great community. I'll be able to say to my family that 'I helped build that' and that will be something I'll be really proud of."
It is believed topping out ceremonies have been performed since ancient Egyptian times, when workers would bless the final stone at the top of their pyramids with gifts to the gods.
Latterly, in Scandinavia, workers celebrated the moment when they reached the pinnacle of a building project.
Representatives from the Kier Group, and Birmingham-based developer MCD joined players from Essex County Cricket Club and deputy mayor Councillor Sandra Pontin at the ceremony.
A traditional beer, named Proper Job, was poured over freshly-laid concrete to complete the occasion.
Mr Bache said: "It has been great to receive the support from the cricket club and that the players, who I know are working hard in pre-season, took time out of their schedule to take a look."
The first block, the smallest of four to be built along the River Can, should be ready by September 2015.
Developers have already sold 61 of the 62 flats in the building and two flats in Tower B, which has not even been started yet.
When finished, Tower A will contain a mix of one- and two-bed homes starting at £220,000 and new state-of-the-art facilities for the Essex Cricket Club.
Part of the development will include 65,000 sq ft of space for members and visitors to enjoy, including a media centre, a new pavilion and conferencing facilities. The capacity of the ground itself will be increased from 4,500 to 8,000 seats.
Cllr Pontin said: "This is a huge part of the regeneration of Chelmsford. It's in a prime position on the edge of the city, with great views of Central Park.
"It's great for the city; there is a lot of excitement surrounding development here. It's also great for the cricket club. It's important that they stay in the city and continue to grow."
Keith Brown, chairman of the ground development panel of Essex County Cricket Club, said: "After years in the planning and overcoming numerous hurdles, to start this development is a huge step forward.
"It will lead to the creation of state-of-the-art facilities for Essex Cricket Club, its team, academy, members and sponsors, with banqueting and meeting facilities."
