The go-ahead has been given for HSBC/Bank of Bermuda to build a six-storey office block on the former Trimingham’s department store site on Front Street.

As a result the historic Trimingham’s store, which has been a Hamilton landmark for more than 150 years, will be demolished and replaced by a building tiered upwards and backwards from Front Street and stretching back to Reid Street.

Demolition work is expected to start within the next month.

After a string of previous controversial and unsuccessful applications to put an even taller building on the site Bank bosses decided to lob off a storey from the previous seven-storey idea, tweaked the design a little and resubmitted the plans in August.

Planning chiefs were this time swayed to allow the scheme.

Unlike previous designs put forward by the Bank, which would have preserved most of the original Trimingham’s frontage, the approved new plan will see the total destruction of the former department store.

It is intended to create a new Front Street facade similar in appearance to the old frontage.

When the Development Applications Board met on Wednesday morning it found the plans had been recommended for approval by planning officers.

Board members decided to go along with the officers’ advice. Late yesterday afternoon HSBC/Bank of Bermuda CEO Philip Butterfield confirmed the news.

“We now look forward to proceeding with the Harbourview project and expect work to begin on the site within a month,” he said.

“At this time we would like to thank all parties who gave valuable input and feedback to our plans as we move forward in erecting a quality building on Front Street for our staff and customers.”

Reacting to the announcement, Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros said the Corporation had opposed the Bank’s original blueprint but had not objected to the revised plans.

The new Mayor hit back at critics who claim the new building will be a Front Street eyesore. He told The Royal Gazette: “My reaction is that I do not think it will be as obtrusive as some people might think.

“We have to go up on this Island or we do not go anywhere at all.”

Dorcas Roberts, environmental officer with the National Trust said: “We did not object to this plan as it is permitted within the City of Hamilton plan.

“It is sad the whole of the original shop facade will go. We are pressing the Environment Ministry to give formal listed status protection to building of historical or architectural significance in the City.”

The scheme has had a chequered history that stretches back to October 2005 when an ultra-modern seven-storey was proposed for the Trimingham’s property at 39, 41 and 43 Front Street.

That idea attracted 23 objectors who felt it did not fit in with the character of Front Street.

Another seven-storey design put forward in December was also thrown out by planning officers, and the same fate befell a third attempt which incorporated a tiered approach for the upper storeys.

When Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield turned down an appeal by the Bank over its DAB rejection in the summer the Bank drew up its latest idea for a slightly smaller building.

In the new plan the higher storeys are set further back from Front Street. It will appear as a six-storey building from Front Street, although only three storeys will be at street level with the remainder set back. From Reid Street the building will appear five storeys tall. Mechanical equipment on the roof will give the building its maximum height of 115 feet.

The building will have bank offices, a Bank of Bermuda retail outlet and two shops, one on Reid Street and one on Front Street.