Scaffolding has gone up on an office block which is set to be replaced by shops and new apartments in a busy Nottingham road.
The old Forest Mill building in Alfreton Road, on the corner of Highurst Street, has stood empty for years.
Workmen were seen setting up scaffolding at the site, with a scaffolder saying the building was coming down.
The office block was built during the 1960s and was used most recently as a timber shop. Part of the site has previously been demolished, but the office block remains.
Approval has previously been granted to create an eight-storey building on the site, comprising commercial units and flats, with outline permission for a further 229 homes.
Residents have welcomed the decision to bring down the 'eyesore' building.
Mark Williams, 33, of Radford, said: "It looks shoddy and brings the area down a bit. It would be good to see it brought down and replaced with something more modern.
"It'll bring some shoppers here and get more people in the area which can only be a good thing."
Martha Hill, 29, of Radford, added: "It's an eyesore and has been hit by graffiti before. It's serving no purpose as it stands, so it would be good to see it changed."
Heather Donald, 40, of the city centre, said: "I walk past it everyday for work and it's just rubbish now. It needs to come down so it's good to see work starting."
In December Nottingham City Council said there had been "positive" signs about the planned redevelopment.
A spokesman said at the time: "This is a site that has been disused and increasingly an eyesore for many years, so we are very pleased that we now have a developer who has viable plans which will bring the site back into use and vastly improve its appearance.
"It will help to enhance the look of Alfreton Road as a major route into the city and help towards the long-term regeneration of the area."
Nottinghamshire Live has contacted the developers for a comment.
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