A CITY centre office block built on the site of a former printworks is set for a £3 million makeover. 

Hanover House, on Douglas Street, will be transformed into The Ink Building – a nod to its publishing past. 

Ambassador Group and specialist investment manager ICG Longbow paid £5m for the vacant block in February.

They have lodged plans to Glasgow City Council to revamp the whole building in the International Financial Services District.

Chris Richardson, Ambassador Group’s Investment Director, said: “We have set aside £3m to thoroughly refurbish the Ink Building, and deliver 40,000sq ft of Grade A office space with modern digital infrastructure to an area of the IFSD which is going to benefit from financial services growth.”

Hanover House was built in the 1980s on the site of Aird and Coghills printing works.

he old sandstone industrial unit was taken down in 1972 some 71 years after it was built.

The new shade will be black with a special “breathable” mineral paint that will not crack or peel.

Developers say simplified windows will make the building look more open and modern, while an overhaul of the interior will give a fashionable feel and increase lighting.

Mr Richardson added:“The Glasgow market is currently characterised by a lack of office supply, our programme of works at Ink Building will bring sought-after office floorplates of up to 4500sq ft to the market in late Spring 2019.”

Ambassador Group recently bought Granite House in Merchant City which it seeks to makeover.

Planning officials will review the application in the coming months.