Heralded by Lewisham Council as a 'catalyst' for the ambitious regeneration of a run-down dockside hinterland, the £22m Laban dance centre, under construction in Debtford Creek, will shimmer on the river Thames at night as a beacon of green and purple light when its polycarbonate skin is unveiled this month.

The centre offering facilities to both visitors and students will include 12 dance studios with one adapted as a 300-seat theatre. A health programme will offer Pilates, physiotherapy, massage, and advice on nutrition.

Due to open in August 2002, the project is set to trigger the transformation of the site of a former council waste depot into part of 'Creative Lewisham', a vision projected in a report instigated by Lewisham's mayor, Dave Sullivan: 'I am acutely aware of the reservoir of creative talent across Lewisham'.

As part of the scheme, Lewisham Theatre will be reborn as the Broadway Theatre after a £2.3m overhaul and will trigger improvement plans for Catford.