A new use for an empty council building in Irvine has finally been found.
Marress House, next to Cunninghame House, will become a nursery and host North Ayrshire Council's concierge system.
Provost Ian Clarkson officially marked the beginning of the construction phase of the development at a special ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday.
The vacant tax office will be transformed into an early years centre (ELC) including outdoor play areas and a professional learning and development facility to support the rollout of the expansion of 1,140 hours early years and childcare.
The £3.82 million project will accommodate 42 three-to-five-year-olds and 21 two-to-three-year-olds on the ground level and a new ELC professional learning facility on the upper mezzanine floor.
North Ayrshire Council leader Joe Cullinane said: “Marress House was the former home of the HMRC tax office and more recently VOCA call centre.
"The council saw this project as an excellent opportunity to bring a local asset back into productive use. The many benefits of new early years facility include the creation of jobs and the welcome boost it will bring to the local economy.
“As a council, our priority is to provide the highest quality learning to help us build bright futures for all our children and young people."
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