A famous former department store name will return to Birmingham city centre next year after a 25-year absence as part of major revamp of an office building.
Temple Court, which overlooks the newly opened tram extension in Bull Street, will be renamed The Lewis Building as a homage to its founder and former use.
Philanthropist David Lewis founded the department store chain Lewis's in Liverpool in the 1850s and opened up several shops, with its Birmingham branch moving to Bull Street in the 1920s.
This was closed down in 1991 after the company fell into administration since when the complex was rebranded as two separate sections called Temple Court and Priory Court, either side of the Minories Shopping parade.
Priory Court is mostly let to Birmingham Magistrates' Court which has a lease until 2034.
Legal & General Property acquired the building in 2014 for £87.5 million and last year announced plans to carry out a wholesale revamp of the Temple Court side, due for completion next May.
The renovation will provide a total of 114,000 sq ft of grade A office accommodation, parking for 74 cars and a 60-space cycle hub with showers and changing facilities.
Floorplates are being remodelled to provide some of the largest in the Colmore Business District at around 17,000 sq ft and a seventh storey will be added, comprising 12,000 sq ft with external terraces and views across the city.
A new image of how the building's Bull Street façade will look has also been released (above) while the photo below shows how it looks today.
Tom Williams, senior asset manager with Legal & General Property, said: "The revitalised Lewis Building will offer unique office accommodation to the Birmingham market, capturing the building's heritage yet providing a contemporary space.
"We are developing Grade A offices, with a full category A fit out....the reception will provide a superb Manhattan-style lobby delivering hotel-style concierge services.
"We are aiming to bring something bespoke and refreshing to the Birmingham office market, designed around the needs of the occupier."
The refurbishment of the Lewis Building is being managed by Ediston Real Estate while architecture practice EPR has designed the project.
Property consultancies CBRE and Bilfinger GVA are joint leasing agents.
