An £8m redevelopment of a long derelict Norwich eyesore should be completed by early spring next year.
Once dubbed one of Norwich's ugliest buildings, Westlegate House, in the heart of the city centre, is being transformed into 17 luxury flats, two townhouses and three commercial units.
The 11-storey building, now known as Westlegate Tower, was bought by Norwich-based FW Properties in a joint venture with London company Soho Estates in 2011.
Two extra floors are being created at the top of the building, and developers said construction of the tallest part is due to take place in the autumn with the tower being completed by the end of the year.
Completion of all other parts of the development will be by early spring next year.
The tower has a number of heraldic shields on its facade, and those that can be salvaged will be given to the heritage watchdog, the Norwich Society.
Ian Fox, who owns FW Properties with Julian Wells, said they were revitalising a part of Norwich that had been neglected for far too long.
He said: 'We were determined that our first project would be a significant one. As Norfolk residents, both Julian and I have been aware of the Westlegate 'eyesore' for many years so we are delighted to be bringing forward its improvement.
'The tower itself had been empty for 14 years before we purchased it, with McDonald's vacating the ground floor in 2006.'
Planning consent to convert and extend the tower and 20, Westlegate - the former Casaccio's cafe - and to bring forward a mixed use development on the adjacent Timberhill car park, was obtained in July last year.
Westlegate House was built in 1959 by WS Lusher and Son Ltd. It was originally an office building occupied by several insurance companies including Provident and Mutual.
People interested in buying one of the new homes can visit the tower and see the plans on May 18 and 19. Interested parties should contact Richard Aldous, head of new homes at Savills, on 01603 229222 or email raldous@savills.com
See more about the tower in today's Property section
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