More Grade A office space is set to be created in the heart of Nottingham after a developer was awarded exclusive rights to transform the city's Central Library.
The current library in Angel Row will move to the Broadmarsh car park building when work on the multi-million pound Southern Gateway regeneration is completed.
The City Council wants the building to be converted into a Grade A office development when the library moves and has now offered exclusivity on the project to Henry Boot Developments.
The authority has also approved the procurement of a commercial property agent to advise on designs and other parties to provide advice on different aspects of the development.
A spokesman for Nottingham City Council said: "This is a formal step in the process of our long term ambition of redeveloping the Angel Row site.
"Bringing in specialist advice will allow us to carry out more feasibility and development work to create new Grade A office space at Angel Row while a new library is being constructed at Broadmarsh."
Justin Sheldon, regional manager at Henry Boot Developments, added: "We’re pleased to be working with Nottingham City Council to look at the redevelopment of the library building and site.
"HBD benefits from a strong track record within the city, having redeveloped The Axis and The Poynt, the former Co-op store on Upper Parliament Street, and with New Horizon - the regeneration of the former Imperial Tobacco factory - currently underway.
Nottingham business news
Most Read
"This latest project really underlines our commitment to continued investment in the city, and indeed the wider region, which is in the order of £140 million."
Designs for the new Broadmarsh building were approved last November and the decision to move the library was confirmed following a public consultation.
That meant plans could move forward to refurbish the Angel Row site for offices, a move which has delighted the business community.
Jeff Allen, chairman of the Nottingham Business Improvement District, said: "It's good news that this development is making progress.
"The city has a desperate need for Grade A office space in order to attract businesses. With the proposed library in the Broadmarsh car park redevelopment, this is excellent use of the old space."
The Southern Gateway project also includes creating a Grade A office development at Unity Square, opposite Nottingham train station, which will be home to HMRC's regional hub. Plans have also been approved for Crocus Place, another Grade A development which will be located on derelict land next to the station.