A VISION of the former AXA Insurance building, Sand Aire House in Kendal, as it might look in 2002 was revealed to the public this week.

The existing six-storey concrete office block in Stramongate, dating from the 1960s, is considered by many people to be an eyesore.

But in a multi-media presentation, Lancashire-based property developer Crosby Homes showed how the building would look when fully converted, complete with red cedar cladding panels and open corner balconies.

Improvements would also be made to a five-storey office block on New Road, if planning permission for the whole scheme gets approval at the end of the month.

The £8 million mixed-development would eventually accommodate 78 residential apartments on its upper floors and offices and a bar/restaurant area on the ground and first floors.

Director of Crosby Homes Lancashire John Jarvis said the key to the building's transformation would be its 24-hour use.

"One of the biggest fears when the building closed was that it would stand unused and boarded up.

When AXA was based here, it would close at 5pm and become quite a cold part of town."

He said that businesses had begun making casual approaches about the office space and one possibility would include a company working on a shift system day and night.

Architect David Simister, of Stephenson Bell Architects, Manchester, described the existing office building as "a rather ponderous beast" but said the new design was a huge improvement.

"We have lightened it by getting rid of the oppressive little windows and punching in balconies."

Local residents and former AXA Insurance employees were among those inspecting the multi-million conversion plans.

Eric Banks, now retired, formerly owned a grocers opposite Sand Aire House.

He said he approved of the plans.

"From those apartments you would get some of the finest views in Kendal.

It is also handy for town, so you would not need a motor car."

John Wilson, also of Kendal, said: "The apartments appear to be more generous with space than many others I have seen in Kendal."

John Lyons, former senior manager of direct sales with AXA Insurance, said he had spent more than 15 years in the building and approved of the plans.

"My name is still on my office door upstairs.

Unfortunately times don't stand still," he said, but added: "They have had some brilliant ideas, it looks much more aesthetically pleasing."