CONSTRUCTION work has begun on a major new project to tranfsorm a former unoccupied office building in the centre of Bradford into 31 apartments.

Leeds-based specialist developer Priestley Homes is behind the £1 million transformation of the 4,257 sq ft building on James Street.

Part of the Priestley Group, the firm is creating studio apartments over the top three floors of the four-storey striking building, which will be finished to high specification and will be for sale.

Renovation work will seek to combine the building’s original features with new, “innovative” details.

The existing commercial space on ground floor commercial space will be rented out to local businesses.

The plans were finalised by Priestley Homes’ in-house design team, meanwhile Priestley Group’s contracting arm, Priestley Construction is carrying out work on the scheme.

The project is due to be completed early in the second quarter of 2019.

The building itself is on the corner of James Street and Godwin Street, just above the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, and is in the city centre conservation area.

Nathan Priestley, chief executive officer of the Priestley Group, said: “Bradford city centre is subject to major regeneration plans and there is an increasing demand for sophisticated, city centre living among young professionals and first time buyers.

“We are keen to meet this need to drive greater levels of talent and investment into the area.

“James Street Apartments has been planned, designed and constructed in-house.

“The scheme is the latest in a long run of high specification homes that we’ve created in Bradford, and we’re thrilled to add another development to the local market.”

The Priestley Group is also behind plans to restore Conditioning House in Bradford, a grade II listed building.

Work began on the £8.5 million redevelopment scheme last month and will see the building on Cape Street turned into a total of 133 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

The 18-month programme of work is also being carried out by the developer’s contracting arm, Priestley Construction.

Its scheme for the building helped it pick up a prize at the recent UK Property Awards, as it was named the Best Apartment Development in the Yorkshire region.

Conditioning House has a long association with the city. It was built by the council in 1902 as a wool testing centre through an Act of Parliament. Almost 70 per cent of all wool produced in the UK was brought there for testing prior to use.