IT has been two and a half years since Bermuda-incorporated insurance provider Hiscox announced it had selected York as the home for a new flagship UK office, bringing 500 jobs to the city.

The project, which involves building a new £19 million, four-storey office, has passed a number of milestones since then, from buying the land to selecting designs, and submitting planning applications to welcoming approvals.

Another milestone was marked yesterday as Hiscox hosted a "Topping Out Ceremony" to celebrate the completion of the frame of the building.

Dignitaries were invited to the Hungate site to see first hand the progression of the work, and stand atop what will eventually be a roof-top terrace with views over to the Minster.

Hiscox chief executive Bronek Masojada, said: "I'm delighted with how the building is progressing, it's fantastic. It's going to be a great addition to York's civic space.

"We wanted a building that our team here would be proud to work in, and I'm confident that will be achieved."

While the building is being constructed Hiscox has already recruited a team of 150 staff working out of neighbouring offices in Hungate, with the headcount set to increase to 250 by the time they move into the new offices in October this year.

Alan Millard, chief operating officer Hiscox, said: "The building is going to be beautiful. The team already in York can't wait for it to be finished.

"It has really built the excitement the fact that we can look out of our widow and see it being built; it's so much better to be here watching it."

The new offices, which lie above an early 12th century medieval church, have 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, with pre-fabricated panelling being imported from Holland.

With the heaviest panel weighing 17 tonnes, and the site set to welcome 225 panels in total, with 71 different variations, the next stage of the build will see the project take on a new shape.

BAM Construction director John Phillips, who is site manager for the project, which has seen 1,000 workers employed on site, said: "The build is going really well. We've just about finished the framework and are about to start on the pre-cast brick work panels this month and start putting them on the building. Then you'll really be able to see it starting to take shape."

York Press:

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.

That project featured 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.

During the Topping Out Ceremony BAM bosses praised the work of York Archaeological Society and York Civic Trust for their support of the build, and handling the historical nature of the site.

The ceremony also saw the burial of a Hiscox time capsule, featuring the business's accounts and brochure, newspapers, and a vial of blood from the chairman of Hiscox, Robert Hiscox.

Kersten England, chief executive of City of York Council, said: "We are delighted, it's a fabulous landmark building to complement the wonderful heritage that already exists in this area of York.

"It's great to see modern architecture come out of the ground, and Hiscox coming to York is reflective of the growth of our economy and the creation of jobs in the city."