Construction is underway to renew the derelict Somerset House, a historic building in Centretown that's sat empty for almost two decades, according to the local councillor.

This 129-year-old heritage building at the corner of Bank Street and Somerset Street W. partially collapsed in 2007 .

The eastern half was demolished and the western half boarded up, remaining empty and largely untouched ever since.

In an interview with CBC on Sunday, Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster said she was "really excited" to see significant development work on Somerset House begin.

"There was a large concrete pour that happened on Friday ... and that was the first piece of major construction on this building for 17 years," Troster said.

"Frankly [it's] been a much derided eyesore in the centre of town."

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