A ?city landmark? nine-storey office block, which will have additional offices in its roof space, is former Premier Sir John Swan?s vision of the future for the eastern gateway entrance to Hamilton.

A plan has been submitted to build a 143ft-tall building at the far eastern end of Front Street on the long vacant site between Front Street and Reid Street near Spurling Hill.

It was made public on the same day City of Hamilton Mayor Jay Bluck announced a new approach to the development of the city with higher buildings up to ten-storeys high being allowed, rather than previous restrictions limiting buildings to only seven-storeys.

At street level the Seon Building will have shops, and below ground there will be two levels of parking. The building will also be set back from Front Street by at least 34ft to allow for landscaping and pavements for pedestrians.

Seon Limited has lodged the application, which is now under consideration at the Planning Department.

The site has been vacant for more than 20 years after a picturesque two-storey building was demolished in the 1980s. Planning permission for an eight-storey office and shopping complex was originally acquired by Sir John in 1992 and re-approved in 1996.

The new application is taller still.

?The site is at the eastern termination of Front Street and is the ?gateway? to the city,? states the latest application from architects Linberg and Simmons, on behalf of Sir John?s Seon property company.

The company is looking to provide office space units of around 5,000 and 6,000 sq ft to address current demand in the city. To make up for setting the building back from the road it has been increased to nine-storeys with the addition of office space within the roof space.

?The height of any building in the city is a sensitive matter and on this site we believe there is an opportunity to create a city landmark, which will be a counterpoint to the developments at Albuoy?s Point and along Pitts Bay Road and signal the entrance to Hamilton,? explains the submission from Colin Lloyd of Lindberg and Simmons.

?The site is outside the historic area of Front Street and in a location where additional height will not be detrimental to views of the Cathedral.?

Pedestrian access to the new building will be from both Front Street and Reid Street, with vehicles accessing the underground car park from Front Street.