Wates is believed to have fought-off competition from Barr and Galliford Try to land the £8m deal.

Work will start on site later this month and will include the demolition of existing buildings on Duke Street to make way for four floors of Category A office space.

The project has been designed by DLA Architects and will include the retention of the former vinegar warehouse at the rear of the site.

Once completed, the new 62,000 sq ft office will become home to American shipping company, Atlantic Container Line, which is headquartered in Liverpool.

Tony Shenton, Business Unit Director, Wates Construction North West, said: “There has been a distinct rise in commercial developments across the north west in recent months, a promising sign that we can observe some cautious optimism in the regional economic recovery.

“Wates has a UK-wide reputation in building exceptional office schemes and we have an experienced site team in place currently preparing to make a prompt start on site to deliver on the expectations of Langtree and the operational needs of Atlantic Container Line.”

Langtree’s Development Director, Stephen Barnes, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wates to deliver this important scheme.”

Project management will be delivered by DBK and Liverpool-based Sutcliffe will carry out the structural engineering works.