IN PICTURES: Vrooms with a view at Sunbeam factory flats

The first phase of the £10 million redevelopment of the building is gaining place with developers behind the project hoping the first tenants will move in before the end of the year.

What once stood as an empty building on the city's ring road is now home to the first of 116 apartments.

Work is due to be completed in five phases, with the total project complete by 2017.

And phase one is almost finished, with the first 25 units nearing completion.

Pictures show the light, airy rooms, with white walls. In some rooms the historic ceiling beams give a glimpse of the building's history.

Property developer Liam Wordley bought the factory, which was called Sunbeamland in its heyday, from regeneration company Urban Splash.

And the former rugby player said he was pleased with the progress at the site, off the Penn Road island.

"It is going well. We are really please with how it it turning out.

"The new windows are making a fantastic difference.

"We are just trying to complete phase one and we are ahead with general brick and structural stuff. It is all the hard work that needs to go in early doors."

Windows have just gone in and they have been sourced locally, from First Choice Aluminium in Sunbeam Street.

"They are big spacious rooms taking full advantage of the large ceiling heights and industrial features and maximising the industrial features such as the wartime beams," Mr Wordley said.

"The windows have been one of the most difficult parts, not only has it got to look right, but it has also got to have an acoustic scheme to it.

"We look at using, wherever we can, locally made infrastructure and locally made fittings and labour.

We had an acoustic scheme designed so you couldn't hear the ring road and this is a triumph because it ticks all those boxes and ticks the relevant conservation approvals."

The Sunbeam factory was used for industrial processes including japanning works and cycling and car manufacturing.

It was famed for its motorcycles and to pay homage to its history, Mr Wordley has bought a Sunbeam motorbike and pushbike which will go on display in the public entrance areas to pay homage to the site.

As part of the development, 32 of the apartments will include learning disability housing and the remainder will be available for private rent.

Part of the building is being demolished and there will be room for 37 parking spaces, a courtyard with an outdoor games area, cycle parking and a charging space for mobility scooters.

And Mr Wordley said despite work going well, there was still much to do.

"It's still just one of those situations where I feel like a hamster in a wheel.

"You've got a lot to do before you can even begin to start reflecting on a job well done.

"I'm sure one day I will be able to look back and be very pleased but for the time being you get peaks of excitement, for example with windows going in or floors coming to a finish, but it is just a process at the moment."

Planning permission for the development was approved by Wolverhampton council in March last year.

The revamp will see the famed Sunbeam lettering re-instated on the side of the building.

Mr Liam Wordley was also behind the redevelopment of the former Territorial Army drill hall in Stafford Street , next door to the Hogshead bar, which is now student accommodation.

Despite no marketing for the apartments taking place yet, there has already been a large amount of interest from prospective tenants.

Mr Wordley added: "We've done no marketing so far, but there's been a huge interest particularly in the rental side so we are expecting it to be a vibrant little scene very soon."