THE first images of how a redundant office building on Teesside's former steelworks could look like when they are redeveloped have been revealed.

Steel House, once the home of British Steel Corporation's Teesside headquarters, are set to be redeveloped as part of plans to regenerate the area.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen wants the building to become the base for the Teesworks development site.

He said: "These designs show a revitalised Steel House that respects the region’s steel and ironmaking heritage but also looks to the future and highlights the importance of Teesworks as a modern, forward-thinking industrial area.

“We have always been keen to incorporate, where we could, some key elements of the existing site into our bold new vision.

"When we looked into it further, it was a no-brainer that Steel House should be saved. Once renovated, it will sit proudly alongside our new gatehouse which will soon be completed, ready to give would-be investors a warm, impressive welcome."

The building opened in 1978 and the inside was last seen by the public in September 2015, when it was used for a press conference to announce the mothballing of the SSI site.

Mr Houchen has today released images of what the redeveloped building could look like.

The lower floors will provide services for the people who work on the redevelopment of the former Redcar steelworks, including a creche, coffee shop and gym, with upper floors providing office space.

The new-look building keeps the original structure intact but dramatic cladding, artificial external lighting and additional windows and light wells will bring it into the 21st century, signalling the cutting-edge industries the site will attract.

As well as the building itself, the landscape around Steel House will be redeveloped to incorporate areas for outdoor eating, relaxation and exercise.

Steel House will also be home to a heritage centre for the site, celebrating the 170 years of steelmaking on Teesside.

Mr Houchen said the work would create about 20 jobs in the first phase, with applications managed through the Teesworks Skills Academy.

The plans will be submitted to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council in the coming weeks, with work getting under way at the beginning of next month.

The Northern Echo:

Tom Harrison, associate director of Darlington-based architects Corstorphine + Wright, said: "The project offers the opportunity to transform the much-maligned, but iconic, 1970s office building and create a ‘beacon’ for the future development of the Teesworks site.

“As a long-established architectural practice in the Tees Valley, Corstorphine + Wright recognise and understand the importance of the redevelopment of Steel House, and the wider Teesworks site, to the social and economic success of the region and are proud to be involved."