NEWPORT'S former Passport Office is set to be transformed into a mix of flats, shops and restaurants.

Work is to about to start to prepare nine-storey Olympia House for the conversion which will see it house up to 60 apartments with shops & restaurants on the first three floors.

Richard Hayward Properties, in a joint venture with The Tonstate Group, is due to start the work which will include clearing out internal areas and removing asbestos, ahead of submitting a planning application before the end of the year.

The partners are finalising plans to transform the 1960s-built, 90,000 sqft city centre landmark.

The building currently consists of 13 retail units and six floors of office accommodation above.

Principal of RHP, Richard Hayward said: “Olympia House is one of the largest buildings in Newport. Its redevelopment as an apartment block will support the regeneration of the city, bringing residents back into the centre, creating improved vibrancy and a greater sense of community. This is one of a number of projects that we are working on in Newport which are supporting its regeneration, creating jobs and acting as a catalyst for further investment by others.”

The development does not involve the Chartist Tower next door.