An empty office building on New Street is to be transformed into some of Birmingham's most central homes.

City developer EDG Property has revealed a scheme called New Street Chambers to create 19 apartments.

The project is just yards away from New Street station and Victoria Square and above ground floor units that include a coffee shop and recruitment agency Office Angels.

It is being funded by global real estate firm LaSalle Investment Management.

EDG director Neil Edginton said: "As the main artery running through the heart of Birmingham, New Street is the city's most important thoroughfare, so development opportunities like this are incredibly rare.

"New Street has evolved over the years but significant elements of its historic fabric still remain and New Street Chambers offers a unique chance to breathe new life into buildings that date back to a time when Birmingham was emerging as a Victorian powerhouse.

"The city is currently experiencing another golden period in its history with unprecedented investment transforming the city centre and this is driving an incredibly buoyant city centre apartment market.

"As well as having a fantastic address, these elegant apartments will be no more than a stone's throw from Grand Central and John Lewis, the Town Hall and Colmore Row and it is hard to imagine a spot that better encapsulates the opportunities offered by city living in Birmingham."

Main contractor AOC Contracts has been appointed to deliver the project, which includes one- and two-bedroomed apartments.

Work is expected to be complete by the end of 2016.

Edd Fitch, national director at LaSalle Investment Management, said: "The office to residential conversion of New Street Chambers demonstrates our ability to add value to assets in core locations around the country.

"We have appointed EDG Property on this project because of its extensive expertise in this area of the market and its ability to create award winning residential apartments."