A HISTORIC building is being restored to its former glory as part of a multimillion-pound hotel development in Sunderland.

The Grade II-listed, red-brick former Gas Board building in Hind Street forms part of the £6million Premier Inn site on St Michael’s Way.

The scheme will see a five-storey hotel with 125 guestrooms, a restaurant, bar and meeting rooms built and developers GB Group hope it will form an attractive gateway into the city.

Brandon Riley, director of GB Group, said: “The main red-brick Victorian building, formerly the Gas Board offices, will have an external facelift to restore it to its original glory, and our specially-employed archaeological experts are recording the structures and detailing of significance for inclusion in any future journals.

“Everyone involved is excited at the prospect of delivering a very special development, which will physically enhance the local landscape and revitalise the area with the addition of much-needed accommodation for business and leisure tourism.”

Sunderland University and the city council are also involved in the development, which began in November.

A spokesman for the university, said: “This development will form a key gateway to the university and city campus, providing further private sector investment made into the city centre, creating jobs and supporting growth.” Coun Mel Speding, cabinet secretary at Sunderland City Council, said: “The building is an impressive and attractive structure, and it does have considerable architectural merit, hence its listing and refurbishment as part of the wider development project.

“What’s also very interesting about the building is that it’s a demonstration of the pride and resources that local utilities could muster in the Edwardian era.”

Work is expected to be finished in February 2015.