A VACANT office block in Bournemouth could be demolished and replaced with 270 rental homes as one of the tallest buildings in the town.

Major plans have been unveiled to level Telecom House at 35 Holdenhurst Road.

Packaged Living, a build to rent operator and developer, is hoping to transform the site into a "thriving space to live".

Alongside 270 flats, the scheme would include a range of shared amenity spaces.

A spokesperson for Packaged Living said: "We believe there is an opportunity to mark the start of the tall district with the elegant proportions of this proposal, which at their tallest are 24 storeys."

The development, known as The Laureate, will feature external landscape terraces, employment co-working space and a rooftop lounge and terrace.

Ground and mezzanine level co-working space will be available for wider public use to support businesses, the developer said.

Mark Woodrow, Packaged Living managing director, said: "Our aim is to provide high-quality accommodation in a central and accessible location, expanding Bournemouth's housing offer and supporting the vitality of the town centre.

"This is an exciting opportunity to begin what we hope will be a successful process of listening and engaging with the local community."

London-based Packaged Living said the design of The Laureate had been inspired by the various architectural styles throughout Bournemouth and the opportunity to mark the beginning of BCP Council's designated Tall Building Zone with an "elegant, visually interesting scheme".

The building layout and form has undergone a thorough design process to ensure the proposal responds to the local context and enriches the townscape view.

Details on the proposed height of the new building have not been confirmed but residents will be able to view the plans, meet the project team, ask questions and give feedback at a public exhibition on Wednesday, May 18.

The event is due to take place between 3pm and 7pm on the seventh floor of Bournemouth University Executive Business Centre a short walk from Telecom House.

Residential use of the current Telecom House premises was established in 2020 when a prior approval procedure application from Telereal Trillium to change the use of the building from offices to 66 flats was approved under delegated powers BCP Council's planning department.