Its plans will see the demolition of Reading’s empty 1970s Energis House building which has been dubbed the metal box.

Energis House will make way for two matching 8-storey office buildings, each a mirror image of the other at 200,000 sq ft. Designed by Aukett Fitzroy Robinson, the buildings will have glazed facades that reveal a diagonal criss-crossed structural steel frame set behind.

Prupim’s development manager on the Forbury Place scheme is Bell Hammer with Sweett acting as cost consultant and AKS structural engineer.

Construction of the BREEAM Excellent rated buildings is expected to cost around £50m and should start in the autumn.

Aaron Pope, asset management at Prupim, says: “Forbury Place will offer companies brand new office space in the heart of Reading with excellent transport links. Reading is home to many global brands so premium office space is always in demand.”