Construction of a 95,000 sq ft speculative office building in Bristol is set to begin following the appointment of Willmott Dixon to a £20m development contract.

The building called Aurora is part of Finzels Reach, the new quarter being created in the heart of Bristol by Bristol-based developer Cubex.

Gavin Bridge, director at Cubex, said: “This is a fantastic milestone for Aurora. With cranes arriving on site now and construction activity moving on apace, it won’t be long before we see a new addition to Bristol’s skyline.”

Aurora will consist of six storeys, with each floor measuring 15,500 sq ft. There will also be 51 car parking spaces, electric car charging points and secure motorcycle and bicycle storage.

Neal Stephens, managing director of Willmott Dixon Construction in Wales and the West, said: “With a local office in Bristol, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to build such an important office for the city’s economy, one that will attract new investment and set the standard for BREEAM Outstanding in a city that was 2015’s European Green Capital.

“We will work hard to ensure this project benefits the Bristol economy, partnering with local companies and sustaining jobs for local people.”

Cubex expects the building to be ready for fit out by the end of next year.

Willmott Dixon, the construction and property services group, has posted a multimillion-pound rise in half-year profits and unveiled a new corporate structure to create three distinct companies.

Under the revised structure, both the residential development and support services companies will move from under Willmott Dixon’s umbrella to become sister businesses.

The group said the move will give each business “greater operational, financial and strategic independence” to pursue their individual growth plans.

Willmott Dixon generated a profit before tax and amortisation of £12m for the six months to 30 June 2016, an increase of 48 per cent from £8.1m a year earlier, on turnover of £598m. The group’s secured and probably forward order book stood at £1.15bn at the end of the period.