Construction work on a high-rise office block will get under way shortly, according to developers.

Demolition started in January of the structure that earlier stood at the site of the proposed Brookfield Place development on Front Street.

It is now nearing completion, with the new build expected to start in the coming weeks.

Plans for the nine-storey block sparked objections from neighbouring businesses and conservationists when they were unveiled last year.

There was further controversy in January after Vance Campbell, the Minister of the Cabinet Office, overruled a decision by the Development Applications Board to refuse the project planning permission.

David Burt, the Premier, and Wayne Furbert, the Minister of Transport, were given a tour of the site on Monday by senior executives of Brookfield Reinsurance and its affiliates, Brookfield Property Partners, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, Brookfield Renewable Partners and Brookfield Business Partners.

A government spokeswoman said: “With the demolition of the site nearing conclusion, construction on the project is expected to start shortly and will generate around 200 jobs during the two-year construction phase.”

Once completed, the 91 Front Street location will have a Class A commercial office building with supporting ground floor retail space.