CONSTRUCTION work has been completed on the redevelopment of a former office building in Bradford, creating 31 studio apartments.

Priestley Construction, the contracting arm of Leeds-based Priestley Group, has completed the £1million transformation of the 4,257 sq. ft. building, located on James Street in Bradford city centre.

The firm's specialist developer Priestley Homes is behind the project to redevelop the striking four-storey building.

Work began on site on the project in November last year. 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.

New residential homes occupy the top three floors of the four-storey former office block.

The three existing ground floor commercial spaces have also been retained, with current tenants still in place.

All apartments have been designed to high specifications, creating contemporary living spaces, with prices starting from £49,995.

Rob Pell, head of construction at Priestley Construction, said: “We’re thrilled to add another development to our growing portfolio in Bradford, having delivered this extensive refurbishment project to our client’s exacting standards and requirements. We are confident that the superior finish on these homes will stand out from the crowd.

“Bradford’s ongoing regeneration and its convenient transport links across Yorkshire make the city a sought-after location to live, work and play, particularly for first time buyers and young professionals, who are looking to balance affordability with the excitement of city centre living.

"James Street Apartments respond to this demand, offering sophisticated, modern homes at an unrivalled price.”

Priestley Construction is currently on-site delivering a number of residential and mixed-use schemes across Bradford, including the award-winning renovation of the Grade II listed building, Conditioning House on Cape Street.

Work began on the £8.5 million redevelopment scheme in October last year and was to have seen the building turned into a total of 133 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

However a bid has been submitted to expand the redevelopment project, which would see mezzanine and duplex levels added, allowing an extra 17 apartments to be created.

The building was built in 1902 as a wool testing centre and has been empty for over three decades.

Mr Priestley confirmed last month: “Since removing all waste and existing ceilings, we have uncovered fantastic king trusses.

"Due to this, we have incorporated mezzanine and duplex levels into the scheme to take full advantage of this space and keep all of the trusses exposed.

"These have resulted in our plans for some fantastic penthouse apartments, which we are confident will become the best apartments in the whole of Bradford city centre once completed."

The original scheme for the building was named the Best Apartment Development in the Yorkshire region at the UK Property Awards, towards the end of last year.