Building begins at Coventry's £59m Friargate business district

It could take 20 years for the entire development to be completed, the city council said

Construction has begun on the first office block in Coventry's £59m Friargate development.

The 13-storey building near the railway station should be complete in time for the first city council workers to relocate there in 2017.

The development, which could take 20 years to complete, will include residential and commercial buildings, along with two hotels.

Council leader Ann Lucas said it would help make Coventry a "top-10 city".

Councillors will continue to be based at the Grade II-listed council house, but will move some departments and administration to Friargate as part of plans to cut the number of council buildings from 27 to nine.

Council workers should be able to move to the Friargate office in 2017