Planning officials have approved a ten-storey office block in Front Street.

Seon Place will house more than 400 people in offices overlooking Hamilton Harbour. It comprises nine storeys plus a tenth floor of office space built into the roof. The building will also house a gym, cafe and two underground parking levels with room for 89 cars and 150 motorbikes.

The Development Applications Board approved the office block but stipulated it must be landscaped and feature Bermuda stone on its western wall along Reid Street. A public art feature has also been recommended "in the interest of public amenity".

Seon Place has been designed by architects Linberg and Simmons for property developer, former Premier Sir John Swan. It is thought to be the tallest office building ever to be constructed in Bermuda.

Seon Place is located at East Broadway, at 139-143 Front Street, and lies to the west of a two-storey Listed building. However, the report states that despite original objections to its height and structure, the Corporation of Hamilton "were happy with the design".

The development opposite the docks features two self-contained buildings joined by a central atrium housing the elevators. Total site coverage is 15,540 sq. ft.

Visual amenities include an outside garden area, palms planted along Front Street plus public seating. A water feature is planned as the piece of 'public art'.

Although planning permission has now been granted, the DAB has stated a building permit must also be approved prior to construction.

The development was originally refused by the DAB in December as it violated the City of Hamilton Plan 2001. However, this was overturned on appeal, with Minister of the Environment Neletha Butterfield giving it the go-ahead earlier this year.

At the time, the Minister's Permanent Secretary Wayne Carey explained: "The City Plan allows for a maximum five storey development at that site. However, where a development extends through an entire city block, the maximum height of the development is determined by the higher grade. In the case of Seon Place, this means a seven storey building (plus use of roof space) is allowed under the City Plan, since Reid Street is two storeys higher than Front Street at that location."