A planned $5 million-plus combined office and apartment block is set to be built at the site of the old Buckeroo building in Hamilton.

And developers believe the multi-purpose building could be the face of the future as planners seek to reinvigorate the city with more homes.

Work on the seven-floor building at the corner of Church Street and Par-la-Ville Road is set to start next Easter after the Development Applications board gave approval last week.

Bermuda Project Managers Ltd. Director Ian Feathers said the existing L A White building will be demolished and the new building, which should take around 16 months to complete, could be a model for the future.

He said: "It's quite novel. I think it will possibly be a new model.

"It's very good for the city. Homes in the city centre means the whole place comes to life in the nighttime.'' Residential units will occupy the top three floors and there will be a small roof garden.

Mr. Feathers said a major Bermudian firm was lined up to take the bulk of the office space but he was reluctant to name it.

Design details of the housing units would be tackled later said Mr. Feathers so they would cater to the latest market trends.

He said the existing building suffered from a cramped, sloping site which meant the basement floor was partly underground because of the hill.

"On one side there are six storeys and on the other side there is seven.'' The new plans gave more room for pedestrians as well optimising space for the occupants, said Mr. Feathers.

And he said the current design did not use space wisely.

He explained: "There must be 20 feet from the ground floor to the next floor.

It's a particularly wasteful use of space.'' He stressed the building would fit in with others on the block. He said: "It's a modern looking building fitting into what is the financial district of Bermuda.'' The Development Application Board also approved John Bluck's plans to demolish York House and build a new four-storey office building with basement at 2 Front Street, Hamilton.

Mr. Bluck said he was delighted it had finally been approved but said he had no idea when work would begin as he was still negotiating with contractors.

He said the building would be very Bermudian in appearance. Minor alterations will also be made to the two-storey Bluck's Building.