Work has started by Pochin Construction on building a brand new eco-friendly office for Merseyside housing association Helena Partnerships.

Following an official event with Helena and other partners, work has begun on the site in Corporation Street, St Helens, which was previously home to a St Helens Glass production facility.

Designed by KKA Architects, the 2,165 sq m (23,000 sq ft), three-storey glass-clad building from developers Milston, will provide a new Town Centre base for around 230 Helena staff, as well as acting as a neighbourhood office for tenants. Helena will lease the office on a long-term basis.

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The new office, which will be known as Helena Central, will incorporate a number of sustainable elements, including brise-soleil on all four elevations and a heat recovery system, ensuring it will achieve a BREEAM very good rating. Working with Structural Engineers ABA Consulting, the build itself will be constructed using a steel frame and includes design features such as micro rib cladding and ribbon windows.

When complete, the scheme will also include a large resource centre with meeting space for local people and organisations. It will also be available to host a variety of community and corporate events.

Jonathan Pochin, Managing Director at Pochin Construction, commented: "As Helena Central is located on the former St Helens Glass production facility, it forms a vital part of the wider regeneration plan for the town. The glass design provides links to the site's historic roots and by designing and constructing the building to achieve a BREEAM very good rating, we are creating a sustainable building for the future. Working with developer Nextdom, we are scheduled to hand the building over to Helena for its fit out works to commence in August 2011."

(CD/KMcA)