CONTRACTORS have kicked-off work on a multi-million pound project this week.

The Edward Street Quarter development aims to deliver hundreds of homes and thousands of square feet of shops and offices to Brighton city centre.

It will be built on the site of the former Amex House in John Street and lead contractor McLaren Construction says it wants to complete the £120 million development by Autumn 2021.

The project’s bosses say the “exceptional design” of the site twinned with a need in the city for “high-end office space” would see it “sit within a vibrant new neighbourhood in the city centre”.

On Wednesday, workers laid the foundations for the site, forming the building’s basement floor.

The finished works have previously promised to include 168 new apartments, 110,000 square feet of office space and about 40,000 square feet of retail, food and leisure units.

The complex is owned by property developer First Base in partnership with Patron Capital.

First base’s project director Steve Eccles said: “Starting on site at Edward Street Quarter is a significant milestone as we move forward the delivery of Brighton’s largest speculative office scheme for over two decades.

“The growth of the tech, media and creative sectors in Brighton has been frustrated by a lack of suitable workspace, so we anticipate strong demand for the commercial element, which will sit within a vibrant new neighbourhood in the city centre.”

Kevin Cooke, senior partner at Patron Capital, praised the project’s aesthetics.

He said: “Following significant planning, it’s exciting to see construction work starting for this major scheme.

“With its exceptional design, attractive city-centre location and mix of uses, we look forward to this being a highly successful development in all senses.”

Edward Street Quarter was designed by architects BuckleyGreyYeoman and the group said it was inspired by “Brighton’s eclectic street scene”.

The site will be the largest provision of workspace to be delivered in the city since 1993 and will also include sites for gyms, cinemas, cafes and shops.

Last year Mr Eccles said developers were “in talks with independent retailers, cinema providers, bars, restaurants and cafes which align with our plans to deliver a lively and attractive place to live, work, play and visit”.