Hereford is finally getting a good look at how the fire-ravaged Alban House will appear when construction is completed on the High Town site.

Completion of the 18 residential dwellings and two retail units is scheduled for November and developers Elevate Property Group said they had been surprised at the level of interest at this stage in the project.

Buyers in the redeveloped building can choose from seven two-bed apartments, seven one-bed apartments, three two-bed penthouses and a two-bed cottage in the courtyard.

Elevate sales and marketing director David Hofton said: “A surge in inquiries came shortly after scaffolding came down, revealing the Grade II façade now retained by the steel frame.

“New hoardings went up with computer generated images and text revealing how the finished Alban House will appear, which prompted further inquiries.

“Work is progressing well and we are delighted at the positive response from passers-by.

The site at 16-18 High Town was seriously damaged when fire tore through the building on Thursday, October 21, 2010.

Before Elevate stepped in to rescue the project, it had stood empty for six years, with attempts to re-develop the site becoming blighted for various reasons, including failure to start restoration work, enforcement notices, owners going into administration and preservation concerns.

Elevate Property Group bought the site in late 2016 but construction was delayed when Saxon ramparts were discovered and the developers stepped back to allow county archaeologists to chronicle details of the discovery, dating back to late 9th century AD.

The project is being overseen by development managers BACE Construction Consultants.