GALLERY This is the spectacular view from the top of East Anglia's tallest building.All the landmark sights of Ipswich, from the Orwell Bridge to the Willis Building, are in crystal clear view in a 360 degree panorama that stretches as far out as the eye can see.

THIS is the spectacular view from the top of East Anglia's tallest building.

All the landmark sights of Ipswich, from the Orwell Bridge to the Willis Building, are in crystal clear view in a 360 degree panorama that stretches as far out as the eye can see.

And now The Mill itself, on the town's rejuvenated waterfront, is adding itself to that list of truly iconic buildings.

Towering over the dock at the equivalent height of 16 stacked double-decker buses it is hoped The Mill will cement Ipswich on the map of massive architectural structures.

The topping out ceremony of the 23-storey building yesterday was hailed an “historic day” for the town's future by politicians and construction leaders alike.

Seeing the fantastic views, which stretch as far out as Felixstowe, Ipswich mayor David Hale said: “This is a real landmark building for Ipswich.

“I sat on the original planning committee that put it through and it was a truly historic thing to do.

“It is an absolutely amazing view and you do not realise how much greenery there is around the town.”

James Hehir, chief executive of Ipswich Council, said: “This is a very big moment for Ipswich and marks the end of the beginning of the new Ipswich, and launches Ipswich into the future.

“This waterfront 'iconic' building is the image of the new Ipswich and is the flagship that brings the historic waterfront alive.”

Planting a yew branch in amongst the final laying of concrete, to banish any evil spirits, Brian Tanner, the director of Wharfside Properties, the company behind the building, declared it an “amazing” structure.

Sitting on the former site of the Cranfield's Mill, the building will be the home to an £8.6m dancing centre for Dance East.

Assis Carreiro, director of the company, said: “I never thought we would see the day. It is quite extraordinary.”

Dance East will occupy the first four storeys of the building and will hope to move into their centre for advanced training in August next year.

Mark Challis, contractor Laing O'Rourke's project leader at the site, who lives at Snape, said it had been a dream come true for a local lad to return home and oversee the 68.1m building.

Construction work on The Mill is expected to be completed at the end of August 2009.