The landmark old HSBC building near the ferry terminal in Hamilton is to get a major overhaul, the new owners promised yesterday.

The Green family, also owners of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, also announced a new name for the building, Point House, and unveiled their plans for extensive renovations.

Alexander Green said: “We are pleased to be able to announce this exciting new office and retail development in Hamilton.

“We are confident that Point House will be an attractive, first-class addition to Front Street and to the city’s economy.”

Botelho Wood Architects will redesign and renovate the 80,000 sq ft building, with the aim of making it the central point of Front Street.

They will give the building a more attractive exterior design and rework and modernise the interior for commercial tenants.

It is intended that the ground floor will have some retail and leisure units, with street-level access, and views of the harbour.

A separate and distinctive entrance will be built for access to the upper floors, which will be leased to office tenants.

The outside of the building will be made more attractive with large glass areas.

There are also plans to introduce distinctive design features, such as a Front Street sculpture underneath a canopy, which would provide shade and weather protection to pedestrians and tenants of the building.

Balconies will be added to create outside space and the offices are planned to have increased levels of natural light, as well as good harbour views.

Some underground parking is also planned.

The building will be made accessible for the handicapped and disabled and will be equipped with energy-efficient lighting.

The renovations are expected to take 18 months to complete.

A planning application from MND Properties last July proposed a new façade for the 50-year-old building and promised to “energise an underused area” of the city.

It expected that work will start this month and finish in December 2020.

The Bill Ming sculpture in front of the building has been moved to Albuoy’s Point as part of City of Hamilton efforts to improve the area.

• Rental enquiries should be directed to Penny MacIntyre at Rego Sotheby’s International Realty at 299-1508 or on e-mail pmacintyre@regosir.com