FRESH plans are set to be unveiled of grand plans to transform Southend’s Alexander House into plush flats at the gateway to the city. 

Comer Homes is behind the scheme to overhaul the former HMRC office block, in Victoria Avenue, into hundreds of flats. Detailed plans will be unveiled at a public event on May 22. 

The development will also include “retail and commercial space” alongside the homes. 

Comer Homes received prior approval from Southend Council to convert the 16-storey office block into 334 apartments back in 2021, and bosses have been working on the proposals since. 

It will be the latest of a long list of former office blocks to be converted into residential developments on Victoria Avenue over the last decade. 

Kevin Buck, Conservative councillor for Prittlewell ward, welcomed the plans - but said the scheme would need good transport links for future residents.

He said: “In the current financial and economic climate due to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, in conjunction with the uncertainties of other schemes, this is certainly something that could be considered for existing buildings, such as those in Queensway.

“The regeneration of Victoria Avenue from commercial office use to residential has, in my view, been very successful and we should embrace more of this.

“What regenerations of city centres like this do mean though, is that the commerce tends to be shifted to out of town industrial zones, so having functional and viable transport links of all kinds is essential to maintaining a stable and thriving local economy.”

The public event will see the developers reveal detailed plans for the plush and modern homes. 

At the event, the Comer Homes development and design team will be on hand to “demonstrate and discuss the outline proposals to gauge thoughts and comments from the community” ahead of submitting a full planning application to Southend Council

A spokesman said: “Our design team, led by Farrells, Exterior Architecture and Savills, is working on a proposal to find a new use for the building by converting it into residential apartments, retail, and commercial units, as well as community green spaces.

“The ground floor will feature new retail and business units opening onto a new landscaped public plaza at the front of the site.”

The event will take place on May 22, between 4.30pm and 7.30pm at Southend’s Civic Centre.