A modern office development publicised as an ideal place to attract big businesses remains empty 16 months after its official inauguration.

Now the impressive Exion 27 building in Crowhurst Road, Hollingbury, could end up as a warehouse because commercial agents are struggling to fill it.

Exion 27 boasts air-conditioned offices on the first floor and a large production area on the ground floor, parking for 55 cars in an out-of-town location near key transport routes.

The building was developed by Albermarle Securities, which specialises in building for blue chip and information technology giants in the Thames Valley.

Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper, said at the launch in June 2001: "This is exactly the kind of facility we need to attract and retain business in the Brighton area."

Exion 27 was hailed as being able to provide accommodation to create more than 100 jobs and up to 300 for office or call centre workers.

Darren Bradley, a director of Albermarle Securities, said at the 2001 launch: "Exion 27 is a significant development for us in Brighton, carrying a gross development value of more than £4 million."

Despite the building's attributes, the property has remained empty, with its only tenants being the security staff who occupy the building.

Martin Clark, director of agents Stiles Harold Williams, said the building had planning permission to allow the first floor to be used as office space and the ground-floor industrial space for manufacturing.

It would have proved an ideal location for an up-to-date industry such as the mobile phone industry but a downturn in such business technology means the building has not been snapped up.

An application is now being made to Brighton and Hove City Council to gain permission for both floors of the building to be used as office space or the ground floor for warehousing in the hope of attracting a different type of business.

Mr Clark said the agents were now seeking permission to loosen the usage restrictions.

He said: "It's a waste of resources to have it empty and we ought to be encouraging people in allowing a little more flexibility."