THE iconic site of the Queens Hall where some of the world's most famous musicians includingThe Beatles once played will soon be home to residents.

A £1.6 million development is set to provide 17 one and two bedroom apartments.

A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held at the newly named Queens Court on Thursday, September 11, to mark the last few bricks being put in place at the highest point of the building.

Social housing contractor Forrest is constructing the homes for Halton Housing Trust.

Paul Mullane, director of development and investment at the trust, said: “The project is a significant regeneration of a site with a rich cultural heritage which was unfortunately victim of a fire that left it unusable for a number of years.”

Ian Finney, framework director at Forrest, said: “There’s a shortage of social housing in the north west and using spaces like the former Queens Hall site, where redevelopment gives a new lease of life, helps to gives these areas an injection of new homes.”

The apartments have been specially designed with extensive energy saving features to cut fuel bills.

They are expected to be completed e arly next year.

Originally a Methodist chapel built in the 1870s, the Queens Hall became a popular entertainment venue.

The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays are just some of the acts who performed on stage.

Irish singer Val Doonican and comedian Ken Dodd were billed alongside pantos, dancers, orchestras and big bands.

The Halton Council run venue hosted countless civic and cultural events and was hired by community groups and organisations for charity nights, functions, fairs, exhibitions and conferences.

It closed in 2004 when the lottery-funded Brindley theatre and arts centre was built in Runcorn.

The dilapidated building fell victim to vandalism and arson and was demolished in 2012.