A £60 MILLION flat complex is starting to take shape on the site of Southampton’s former Fruit and Vegetable Market.

When it is complete, almost 300 new homes will have been built on the city centre site while 30 jobs are set to be created as well.

As reported, the site off Queensway has been labelled one of the city’s “VIP” developments, and the first new tenants could move in next summer.

The complex will also be the city’s first private rented sector development, set aside specifically for the rental market.

While the area had once been home to a bustling market, by the time plans for the new scheme were approved last year most of the units were empty.

Hampshire & Regional Property Group came forward with a planning application to transform the site, and the new buildings are now starting to take shape.

The old warehouses have now been torn down and piling and groundwork for the first of the three buildings on the site have been competed, with the steel frame structure of the first building now up.

When complete, they will contain 84 one-bed and 195 two-bed apartments in the three blocks.

There will also be almost 900 sq m of commercial space in two of the blocks which will contain new shops.

The developer says 30 jobs will be created when occupants are found for the space, while 300 construction jobs have also been created.

Allan Gordon, managing director of Hampshire & Regional Property Group, said: “We are very pleased with the progress on site so far.

“On any given day there are at least 70 contractors working to bring this important project to fruition and it’s exciting that we’re starting to see the skeletons of the first buildings reach into the sky.

“This is a flagship scheme which will completely transform the area, bringing with it much needed homes and jobs.”

City council leader Simon Letts added: “This development is one of seven Very Important Projects that are underway in the city centre. It’s tremendous to see the landscape in this area of the city start to transform, with the first building starting to take shape.

“New homes in the city centre such as these, help to create a vibrant centralised community.

“The ongoing plan of improvement in Southampton is generating new jobs, homes, retail opportunities and green spaces in the city.

“The city centre masterplan was implemented in 2012 with a planned £3bn of investment coming in to the city. This huge level of financial commitment has made Southampton the destination city on the South coast.”