One of Liverpool city centre's most iconic buildings has now emerged after years of being hidden behind scaffolding.
India Buildings is due to open this summer as a Liverpool regional centre for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), with around 4,500 employees.
The four year programme of work has restored the Water Street building to its former glory, retaining the arcade and the lobby areas and restoring the ceiling of the Regency Suite, which will be used as a meeting space, while also delivering a modern and accessible workplace.
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As a Grade II listed building, HMRC has worked with its construction partners to refurbish the building, retaining many of its original features.
The government body announced in 2017 that it planned to move thousands of tax workers into the building as part of a new "super centre".
Construction has been ongoing inside the huge office building that will see thousands working across 10 floors.
The project was originally due to be finished a year ago, but the move date was pushed back after large quantities of asbestos were found inside the building.
The pandemic has impacted the move further, with the advice at every level of the government's new tiered restrictions advising workers to work from home where possible.
The renovation has meant the arcade - which was once home to a number of shops - is now closed off, with turnstiles for staff at both ends and a reception area in the public entrance in Water Street.
HMRC said the arcade's closure was necessary for security reasons, but added it wanted to ensure the public still had some access to the famous building.
An HMRC spokesperson said: "India Buildings is due to open summer 2021 for around 4,500 employees.
"A small number of staff are already working in the building – some delivering business critical roles that cannot be done at home and others are getting the building ready for opening."
