One of Dockyard’s old storehouses is being given a make over as part of a major beautification project in the West End.

Work began this week to put a new roof on the Great Western Storehouse, which is situated directly behind the Clocktower Mall.

The storehouse, which is also known as Building Number Nine, has fallen into disrepair and is now being given an extensive upgrade.

The project, which is being spearheaded by the West End Development Corporation, will also involve the buildings’s windows being refurbished or replaced.

Andrew Dias, General Manager of Wedco, said several parties had already expressed an interest in renting space within the building once the work is complete.

“Currently the roof is in a really bad condition and leaks,” he said. “As part of the beautification project there were a number of buildings identified as being in need of critical repair and Building Number Nine was one.

“All of the building will be made wind and watertight. We are taking the skin off the roof and replacing it with a new material. Then the roof will be painted over to look like a normal white Bermuda roof.”

The old storehouse was built in 1857 and contained the offices of the chief engineer in Dockyard. Its roof was one of the largest water catchments in Bermuda.

The roof catchment, like those of the Eastern, Southern and Northern Storehouses, discharged into the large water tank below the Sail Loft.

Recently the Great Western Storehouse has fallen into disrepair and become derelict.

“A number of buildings in Dockyard have stayed derelict and have been in bad shape for decades,” Mr Dias said. “This project is part of their rehabilitation.

“Once the buildings get rehabilitated then we will look to rent them out.

“We already have seven of eight interested parties that have expressed a desire to use space for offices, retail and entertainment.”

Work on the Great Western Storehouse is expected to take around three months to complete.