From the outside, the BALTIC looks like the old flour mill that it once was.

The north and south facades are still intact, and the facade is still recognisable.

It was a challenging brief for the architects - to keep the structure of a major Tyneside landmark and to completely transform it.

Watch architect Dominic Williams talking about the BALTIC building.

Architect Dominic Williams has been working on the transformation for eight years.

"It's great to see the building finally realised. It's been on paper for so long" he says.

"I thought it was a really odd looking building. I was interested in the building because it was so vertical"

"It really stuck out. I wanted to retain that weirdness. It's also a place where dramatic art can happen" says Dominic.

Sune Nordgren, director of the BALTIC, is delighted with the transformation.

Watch Sune Nordgren talking about his vision for the BALTIC.

"I hope people will take it to their hearts. This is an old building. It's the biggest brick building on Tyneside. It's a kind of manifesto of the industrial era" he says.

"Finally, people can access it and see all the fantastic things it's been changed into".

"We call it 'the BALTICexperience' - the building, the design, the fantastic views out of to the river, the furniture, and even the food".

"It will be something new and slightly challenging as well as being pleasant and beautiful" concludes Sune.

The BALTIC isn't just another art gallery with travelling exhibitions.

The specially createdBALTIC chairs.

Art and architecture go hand in hand with the artworks having been specially created for the spaces in the BALTIC.

Sune Nordgren sees the BALTIC as an "an art factory" where art is created as well as shown.

The BALTIC will feature a changing programme showcasing a wide range of international artists.

So what can visitors to the BALTIC expect? For starters, there's Chris Burden's model of the Tyne Bridge made from hundreds of meccano pieces.

Look inside the galleries.

Also look out for bread artist Tatsumi Orimoto wrapping volunteers in baguettes, and a sound installation of large gongs by Jaume Plensa.

Other exhibits include Julian Opie's black body silhouettes, an avant garde film called Dreamtime by Jane and Louise Wilson, and Carsten Holler's light sculptures.

Later this year, artist Antony Gormley will be working on a major exhibition for the BALTIC. Watch this space for more details of his plans.