ONE of the most familiar buildings along the east coast is being given a major facelift. Commerce House, which was built in the 1960s, was one of the largest buildings on the waterfront until the redevelopment of Admiral Park, of which it now forms part.

ComProp bought the brick structure in 2005 and, at the end of 2006, Rihoy & Son started a complete refurbishment of the four-storey structure.

‘Commerce House is such a familiar building in Guernsey that Rihoy & Son feels privileged to have the opportunity to redevelop it,’ said managing director Gavin Rihoy.

‘The building will be transformed into a light, modern office space and externally has been designed to blend in with the modern buildings at Admiral Park and the existing landscape along Les Banques.’

Internally, the whole building has been stripped back to basic shell and core, with an extensive refit of all toilets, stairs and office areas under way. New lifts are being installed and all windows have been replaced.

The main reception area at the front of the building has been extended and substantially upgraded to include polished-granite flooring, a revolving door and new

disabled access.

The plans by architects Lovell Ozanne also include a transformation of the external brick finish, which has often been criticised. Behind the scaffolding, a specialist render will be applied with an additional layer of insulation and the main panels on each aspect are being replaced by storey-height curtain walling.

The base of the front of the building, including the new entrance steps, will be polished granite.

It will be home to two-as-yet unnamed companies. The main tenant is due to move in at the start of 2008, with the sub-tenant taking occupation shortly afterwards.