It may be many years since Kilmarnock's Opera House was filled with music and arias, but the building, which has seen hard times, is now singing a happy tune thanks to a multimillion pound restoration project which has brought new life and purpose behind its magnificent Victorian sandstone facade.

Earlier this week, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Minister for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities Nicola Sturgeon, MSP, officially opened the Opera House, seeing for herself how the once derelict eyesore has been transformed into a modern office building providing accommodation for 250 East Ayrshire Council employees in the heart of Kilmarnock's historic John Finnie Street.

For over 20 years, the red Ballochmyle sandstone facade was all that remained of the once proud Opera House, first built in 1875, which had seen service as a church and a nightclub before being destroyed by fire in the late 1980s. The building lay derelict for 22 years until 2012, when East Ayrshire Council, in partnership with The Klin Group, launched the Encore Project to redevelop the building.

Ms Sturgeon unveiled a plaque designed for the occasion and was given a short tour of the building before being invited to view the stunning scene of Kilmarnock rooftops from a fourth floor window.

She said: "It is a real privilege to be asked to formally open Kilmarnock's former Opera House. This project is a shining example of what can be achieved when local communities work in partnership with the public and private sectors to help bring new life into our towns and cities.

"The Scottish Government is committed to investing in Scotland's infrastructure, to help boost economic recovery and provide employment opportunities for Scotland's people. At the end of last year we launched our National Review of Town Centres to look in detail at the best options for reinvigorating our town centres. The External Advisory Group which was set up to take this forward is due to publish its report this summer, and I look forward to seeing the recommendations it contains." Speaking at the official opening of the Opera House, Councillor Douglas Reid for said: "The Opera House is an outstanding example of how our conservation area buildings are being revitalised and I was very proud to escort the Depute First Minister through our building today.

"We've been able to bring 250 employees under one roof, allowing us to rationalise our property portfolio while reducing costs and improving communications and working conditions for our staff. We now have approximately 1000 Council employees working in Kilmarnock town centre which brings an added bonus for town centre retailers and traders, with an increased footfall in local shops and eateries.

"Regeneration is about more than buildings; town centre regeneration projects like this are providing construction jobs, training in traditional skills and helped keep contractors in business through a difficult time. They are also providing new shop units, residential accommodation and office space in buildings which were no longer fit for purpose. Regeneration is about people, life and the future and with the opening of this jewel in our crown we are proving that the policy works." Marie Macklin, Chief Executive of The Klin Group said: "This was the longest and most complex initiative we've yet undertaken and required considerable perseverance to resolve ownership and planning challenges. The derelict front with its permanent scaffolding was a blot on the town centre for such a long time. The building has breathed new life into this part of John Finnie Street and we are very proud of what we have achieved."