This is how one of Liverpool's most famous office buildings now looks after a four-year renovation project was completed - with thousands of HMRC staff now set to relocate to the site.
India Buildings will become the Government department's new, consolidated hub for the Liverpool City Region - with smaller offices in Liverpool, Bootle and St Helens set to be shuttered.
It is hoped that bringing some 4,000 staff into the Liverpool City Centre site will provide a boost for local businesses and the wider city economy as it aims to bounce back from the pandemic.
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Falconer Chester Hall's project architect Alex Harrison said respecting and retaining the history and heritage of the Grade II-listed building while also creating major, modern offices was a big challenge.
She said: "This project has been a five-year labour of love, I feel extremely proud to have seen it through, I think we have managed to bring this building back to life and back into use.
"To see it being fully let and fully used will be a real asset to the city.
"It's been a big challenge to find that balance between conservation and refurbishing what we've got but also meeting the standards of HMRC who want a modern, forward thinking building. I think we have managed to find that balance."
Designed by architects Arnold Thornely and Herbert J Rowse, the remarkable building, which has a principle entrance in Water Street, was built between 1924 and 1932 for the Blue Funnel shipping line, owned by Alfred Holt, as the Liverpool Echo reports.
Damaged during World War II, the magnificent building was restored to its original condition and would go on to have an arcade of shops running through it, with a government offices, insurance companies and a post office taking up spaces within the building at different times.
In 2017, the Grade II* listed India Buildings was bought by financial services company Legal & General and it was announced that HMRC would base its new regional centre within it, with as many as 4,5000 staff set to move in to the iconic setting.
A huge amount of painstaking work has gone into the renovation of India Buildings with the aim of creating modern, flexible and comfortable offices for thousands of HMRC staff, while respecting and maintaining the remarkable heritage found within the building.
This effort has brought together a number of different teams and contractors, including architect firms Falconer Chester Hall and Ryder, interior designers Ward Robinson and office fit out specialists Overbury.
The stunning arcade that runs through the bottom floor of the building has been carefully and lovingly revamped and the former shop units are now meeting rooms dressed and named with a nod back to the history of the site.
Alongside the refurbished heritage aspects of the building are huge modern offices, fit to hold thousands of staff members who will be working in varying and flexible roles.
The newly-restored Regency Suite has been transformed into a huge meeting and conference suite - with original features sitting alongside modern facilities.
HMRC said it wanted the new regional hub to be ready for the changing needs of a modern workplace - so there are breakout rooms, reflection spaces and gender neutral facilities.
Andy Leggett, Director, HMRC Risk and Intelligence Service said: "I'm thrilled and excited that the historic majesty of this building is being brought back into use.
"It's a fabulous facility for our people, to be able to give both great customer service but also for our people to develop their careers in.
"It's also just an amazing asset for the city of Liverpool and that benefits us all."
HMRC staff will now start to move into the building in a phased process.
