Work has started to build a towering office block in the city centre described as "one of the most significant schemes to break ground in the East Midlands in more than a decade".
Unity Square is planned next to the Vat and Fiddle Pub, based in Queensbridge Road, and opposite Nottingham Railway Station.
More than 4,000 HM Revenue and Customs staff will relocate to one part of the multi-storey building, of which more than 2,000 will move from the agency’s current Nottingham base next to the canal in Castle Meadow Road.
Government departments will occupy the other part of the building.
Some passers-by said the multi-million-pound scheme was beneficial in creating jobs - while others weren't so keen.
The Castle Rock Brewery manages the Vat and Fiddle pub in the area as well as the Canal House bar, in Canal Street, and the Barley Twist bar, in Carrington Street.
Lewis Townsend, the brewery's head of marketing, said: "We’re excited about the Unity Square office development and indeed the work to improve the south side of Nottingham city centre in general.
"We strongly believe that pubs are wonderful spaces in which to relax and we’re looking forward to welcoming our new neighbours who will find themselves on the doorstep of three unique Castle Rock pubs.
"Whether it be a quick lunch with locally roasted coffee or a pint of craft beer or real ale after work, they’ll be well catered for."
Factory worker Daniel Kublickis, 29, of Sneinton, said: "I had no idea they are building some kind of offices here.
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"This is my normal route going past here every day. I had no clue.
"If it's creating some more work spaces that is good. And if it's going to bring more jobs that must be good."
Angela Sage, 57, of The Meadows, said: "It's all a waste of money.
"There's enough office buildings in Nottingham as it is. You can see them all over the place.
"Hospitals need the money and the homeless and care homes and things like that where they are at rock bottom."
A spokesman for the HMRC said: "The Unity Square development is our final regional centre location to reach the start of construction work, which is a key milestone for our new Nottingham office.
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"We look forward to moving more than 4,000 HMRC colleagues from across the East Midlands region into Unity Square by summer 2021.”
Developers Peveril Securities and Sladen Estates submitted plans to the city council for Unity Square in November, having demolished the site's derelict car park buildings the year before.
Nick Sladen, of Sladen Estates, said: “Unity Square plays an incredibly important role in the regeneration of Nottingham’s south side and is certainly one of the most significant schemes to break ground in the East Midlands in more than a decade.
“We’ve had proactive support from Nottingham City Council, as well as the business community, and we’re looking forward to welcoming HMRC to its new regional hub in 2021.”
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A Nottingham City Council spokesman said: “We are very pleased to see development beginning on what will be an important new office development for Nottingham.
"HMRC’s decision to choose Nottingham as its new regional base for its 4,000 staff confirms the city’s importance as a regional hub for a range of professional services.
"Our connectivity across the Midlands and with London were also important factors that will benefit the staff when the offices open.
“We will continue to work with the developer and HMRC to make the most of this move to the city for HMRC, the city, the council and local residents.”
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