Work has started on turning the Grade II listed tower into 144 homes, a college skills hub and a public rooftop space.

After years of residents asking "when?", Plymouth can finally say "now".

The first phase of the Civic's transformation kicked off this morning, 11 years after council staff moved out.

It's already a hive of activity. Builders in hi-vis and hard hats are moving around the former Civic Centre car park, which is now the project compound. If you’re walking past, you might see cranes in place and mobile toilets moving in.

Capital&Centric is the developer behind the project, and Morgan Sindall are the builders. Initial works will cover setting up the compound and welfare facilities for the crew, putting up safety netting and scaffolding around the tower, stripping out some parts of the in and outside of the building, and removing asbestos.

Social impact developer Capital&Centric will turn the 14-storey tower into 144 design-led rental homes, creating a new landmark from the building that has divided Plymouth. City College Plymouth's Renewable & Marine Skills Hub will take the lower floors, with a rooftop café-bar open to everyone crowning the top.

The Civic Centre's future changed tack in 2024 when PCC took control of the landmark and announced plans to create a campus for City College Plymouth, securing £8.5 million Levelling Up Funding to deliver it.

The Council pulled together a team to work on establishing the right conditions for investment and regeneration. It negotiated leases as well as funding worth around £47.5 million from public sector pots, including Future High Streets Fund, corporate borrowing and Homes England Brownfield Infrastructure and Land Fund. A team also worked on a new planning application which was granted in July this year.

Tim Heatley, Co-Founder of Capital&Centric, said:

"I'll be honest, I didn't think I'd ever be this excited about a car park becoming a compound. But here we are. Boots are finally on the ground at the Civic. This is a major moment. Some people have told us it would never happen, and this start proof that we're making it a reality. I know it's a divisive building. Everyone has an opinion on the Civic. Plenty of Plymouth loves it, plenty can't stand it, and I'm not pretending otherwise. But I want to win more people over, and the best way to do that is to stop talking and start building.

A huge thank you to Plymouth City Council, who have been incredibly supportive, and we're looking forward to carrying on working with the great team there. This landmark will belong to the city again, and this is the bit where it gets properly real. Come and watch."

Councillor Matt Smith, Cabinet member for Housing, City Centre Regeneration and Events at Plymouth City Council said:

"We've all talked for years about this building and what needs to be done. Now it's time for action and I am looking forward to seeing this site come alive with contractors getting on with the job. It's massively exciting for me, the Council and the city centre."