CONSTRUCTION is underway on Hiscox's new £19 million office in York as the insurance firm looks to grow its team of 120 in the city to 500.

Hiscox announced in 2012 that it was eyeing up a move to York after looking for a location for its new flagship office outside London.

Plans for a 50,000sq ft new build office in Hungate were approved last December, and now construction is underway as preparation of the foundations on-site is completed.

The four-storey office will initially be home to 300 staff, with a further 200 jobs to be created at the insurance firm within five years.

Alan Millard, chief operating officer of Hiscox UK, said: "This is a significant milestone on our journey to establishing what will be an important new office for us here in York.

"Like everyone else at Hiscox, I’m hugely excited to see the building take shape over the coming months."

Hiscox moved into a temporary office in Mallard House, also in Hungate, in February last year, with around 120 people already based there.

Mr Millard added: "We look forward to continuing to build on that over the course of this year and next.”

The office, which is set to feature a roof terrace with views of York Minster, has been designed by architect Ken Shuttleworth, of MAKE, who has worked on London's Millennium Bridge, The Gherkin and City Hall.

He has designed a cantilevered concrete frame, structural glass curtain walling and a winding staircase in a full-height atrium. Inspired by the history of the site and its existing surroundings, a brick weave envelope will be included in the design.

Earlier this year Hiscox appointed BAM Construction for the build.

With its North East offices in Leeds and Gateshead, BAM has worked on a number of projects in York including Network Rail’s £27 million “Engineers Triangle” featuring the rail operator’s new Route Operating Centre and Workforce Development Centre.

BAM was also behind the University of York’s Ron Cooke Hub, the Melrose Stand at York Racecourse, several other projects for the university including a Biosciences Building, and Selby War Memorial Hospital.

The new Hiscox building is due to be completed and operational in 2015.