A huge concrete tower has appeared on a historic seafront site as work to build 91 luxury flats takes shape.

Bosses say the controversial Leas Pavilion in Folkestone is “progressing swiftly” as they continue to construct the apartments – valued from £325,000 to £3 million.

The long-anticipated project has been sold as the best hope for preserving the Grade II-listed building, which was originally built in 1902 as an Edwardian tea room.

It later became the popular Leas Club nightspot – but when the venue closed in 2007, it fell into disrepair.

The nine-storey residential block, due for completion next year, is being built on the site by development company Gustavia in consultation with Hythe-based architects Hollaway Studio.

A spokesperson for Gustavia told KentOnline this week: “Work on the redevelopment of Leas Pavilion is progressing swiftly, with the new building starting to take shape and giving Folkestone residents an enticing glimpse of what is to come.”

They said piling work is complete and construction of the “western central core” containing stairs and lifts has begun.

They added: “Once the concrete cores have been completed, work will commence on the creation of the ground floor. The main building will then start to take shape.”

Our reporter visited the site this week and received a mixed reaction from residents on the development.

John and Mary Payne, who are regular visitors to the town, think the new flats are in a “perfect position”.

“People who move in will get to enjoy the lovely seaside views and are so close to the town centre,” said Mr Payne.

“You can’t look back and you should not want to stop progress.”

Despite admitting the new apartments may not be affordable for “ordinary people” Mrs Payne still believes the development will be good for Folkestone.

She added: “These will not be for ordinary people. These flats will be for prestige people who have plenty of money.

“I do feel sorry for the existing buildings that surround the new-builds. It’s going to be very high so they might lose their views.

“But I would rather see this than a run-down old building.”

However, not everyone has been left convinced by the project.

A life-long Folkestone resident, who wished to remain anonymous, thinks the town is lacking housing for locals.

“People in Folkestone are not going to be able to afford these,” she said.

“There are so many people that need help and affordable housing at the moment.”

Similar concerns have been raised about the cost of the new Shoreline Crescent apartments - located on the beach almost directly below the Leas Pavilion - where prices, for a one-bed, start from £430,000.

“These flats [on The Leas] along with the development at the harbour show the direction the town is going in,” the resident added.

“In terms of the height, I think it is far too big. It is so out of proportion with every other building in the area.”

Work began on the Leas Pavilion flats overlooking the English Channel last summer.

Friends of the Leas Pavilion (FLP) say they have been in contact with developers throughout the project and told KentOnline they will “continue to monitor the situation.”

A spokesperson said: “[We] continue to be entirely satisfied that, regarding the rebuild of the Pavilion, all is proceeding according to plan.

“We will, naturally, continue to monitor the situation as we have continually promised our supporters, but very much look forward to the opening.”