A disused business centre hit by antisocial behaviour and covered in graffiti is set to be transformed into modern apartments after its planned revamp was given the green light this week.
The vandalised Irwin Business Centre, in Church Street, Old Basford, has been unoccupied for years - and developers want to convert it in a move expected to create 24 apartments for young professionals.
It is situated near the tram line and architects said it would help improve the route into the city centre.
Speaking about the project, Dino Labbate, director of the West Bridgford-based Swish Architecture, said: "It benefits everyone.
"It's one of the main routes on the tram line. Even if you don't live in the area everyone goes by it on a tram.
"It just looks so drab and dull... it'll make the route into Nottingham city centre a bit nicer."
Mr Labbate explained there'd been issues to do with squatting and antisocial behaviour.
"It's quite a nice regeneration of the area," he said. "It's not the best area - sometimes they are the best projects because you are uplifting the area."
The redevelopment is expected to cost around £1m, with up to 10 parking spaces set to serve the site.
The new apartments are likely to be available for people to rent with work due to start this year.
Hilary Silvester, executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, said: "It seems to be a very good move forward in that they are thinking about accommodation for young professionals - both those who have graduated from our universities and also to attract people from further afield."
A Nottingham City Council planning report states the four-storey building was constructed for office use more than a decade ago.
It clarifies the block "appears to have never been occupied and is now in a poor state of repair with windows and large parts of the roof missing".
Nearly 30 neighbouring properties were consulted as part of the planning process and there was one formal letter of representation.
That person said the building should have triple glazing to reduce noise from trams and trains.
The project was given the go-ahead at the start of the week, with the council report adding: "The site is considered to be within a sustainable location and well-served by local transport connections to the north of the site.
"The current building has been redundant for a number of years and detracts from the character of the area by way of its semi-dilapidated state."
Local residents and workers were in favour of the proposal, saying last year "it will bring more use to the area than the building does now".
The planning application was submitted on behalf of Mehat Developments Ltd.
