A LANDMARK building which was destroyed by fire more than four years ago has been restored to its former glory.

Jefferies Solicitors has spent just under £2.2million rebuilding its former offices at Courtway House, in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, after it was destroyed by a catastrophic fire in May 2011.

The early 20th century building was painstakingly restored by Leigh-based BGA Architects using moulds of the burnt-out facade to ensure the new structure would be reproduced exactly.

Having moved to Tylers Avenue following the fire, Jefferies will not be returning to the building, and it has instead been converted into eight flats priced between £169,000 and £695,000, including a penthouse, six of which have sold already.

In addition, discount store Savers has signed a lease for the 2,000 sq ft ground floor retail unit.

Alan Gershlick, consultant and former senior partner in Jefferies, said he was “amazed”

at the faithful reproduction of the building.

He said: “It’s been a long time coming, but I saw the outside of the building for the first time on Friday and I was amazed at how the architects and builders have been able to replicate the original design – it looks terrific. I can’t tell you how proud I am.”

Andy Atkinson of the Milton Conservation Society said he was pleased the striking building had been saved for posterity.

He said: “On behalf of the society, I’m very pleased to see it’s been rebuilt close to its original design, as it makes an important contribution to the street scene.

“I hope, as a result of this, people will recognise that buildings of character like Courtway House are important for our future.”

Bernard Gooding of BGA said it was a privilege to be able to work on the first art deco building of his career.

He said: “First of all we were asked by Jefferies to go down and look at the building while it was on fire.

“Later on we took photos, took measurements and moulds of what was there while on the scaffolding of the building, which was in a very dangerous state, to find ways of replicating exactly what was there.

“It’s been a long journey but I found it rewarding, as they now have a building very close to what was there, and it was a very beautiful building.”