green light to turn the Harold Hayes Frith Building on Front Street into a six-floor upmarket office building.

The existing two-storey building, which is owned by Park Place Limited and houses Bananas Gift Shop and Walker Christopher jewellery store on the ground floor, will have three more floors of office space and a penthouse.

"We will install state of the art service facilities, such as the latest telecommunications, air conditioning, energy efficient lighting, insulated windows and all the computer requirements,'' Park Place director and architect Mr. Sjur Linberg said.

"There is no doubt that there has been an increase in demand for high quality office space.

"We are seeing a period of increased demand for commercial property as Bermuda is attracting worldwide attention particularly as the domicile for many new companies. It is certainly most needed after more than two years of recession.'' The ambitious plans also include a new office entrance on Par-La-Ville Road and the addition of two elevators, a new service block and an additional fire escape stairway.

But Park Place director and architect Mr. Bruce Barker stressed that while the interior would be elegant and up-to-date, its exterior would remain "quite traditional and fitting'' for Hamilton and Front Street.

The existing balcony around the building will remain and balconies will be built on to the exterior of the upper floors.

The building is expected to be painted pale yellow.

Mr. Barker said he expected construction to start in February, with a completion date around May, 1995.

The project will go out to tender shortly after Christmas.

The DAB pointed out that while it approved the application in principle, it reserved its final approval until details on the siting, design and external appearance of the building -- that is landscaping of the site, parking and the means of access to the site -- are reviewed.

It also advised the applicants that the elevation facing Par-La-Ville Park should include traditional elements and be of domestic scale with features similar to those shown on the Front Street elevation.