It is time for the city of Hamilton to evolve and take on the look of other capital cities.

That was the message from Bank of Bermuda chief executive officer Philip Butterfield yesterday as he showcased plans for a seven-storey premises on Front Street on the site of the old Trimingham Brothers Ltd department store

Some people, including Hamilton Mayor Lawson Mapp, have expressed concerns that the modern design of the office building may not fit in with such a historic location.

However, Mr. Butterfield believes that Bermudians should embrace the idea of change and said that the new building would "not only be a statement on the landscape of Front Street but a statement to the public of Bermuda".

"We are about change, in that perspectives have evolved over time and we think that our capital city of Hamilton ought to take on the look and feel of capital cities in other parts of the world. I think that what we are proposing takes us towards that," he said.

"The drivers of our economy are international businesses, and while tourism is essential we have to have a reasonable balance between these."

Architect John Gardner, of Cooper and Gardner, who created the design along with partner Julia van Beelen also pointed out that traditional Bermudian buildings make it hard for architects to achieve goals such as allowing enough natural light in to reduce energy use.

The plans for the new building, which runs from Front Street to Reid Street were on show at a public exhibition on Front Street yesterday evening.

No objections have yet been filed, although members of the public have until next Friday, November 11, to do so and Mr Butterfield acknowledged that their reaction would be "difficult to predict".

If planning permission is granted, the 27-month building project will begin in early January.

He also revealed that another project has recently begun to refurbish the Bank of Bermuda's Church Street location.This branch will be moved from the ground floor to the second floor in March 2006 to allow the ground floor to be refurbished.