The £15million contract has been awarded to HBG.

Work on the landmark Grade II* listed building, which will include cladding refurbishment, new services to the upper floors and full refurbishment of floors 9-19, will commence on site in June 2009 with an anticipated completion of September 2010.

As part of the building's refurbishment, improvements will be made to the circulation and comfort facilities as well as to the general internal environment, making the most of the open space and views across the City.

The refurbishment hopes to extend the landmark building's life by an additional 30 years for the benefit of staff and students.

This iconic building is a prime example of post war modernist architecture and has stood as a prominent landmark on the Sheffield skyline since it was erected in 1965. Originally built to accommodate 160 staff and 1000 students, the building is currently host to over 300 staff and used daily by around 2,500 students.

The University's School of Architecture occupies the building's top floors. Over the years, thousands of Arts and Humanities students have had the unique experience of travelling up and down its nineteen storeys in the unusual paternoster lift.

James Wimpenny, Director of HBG in the North East, said:

"HBG has a proud history of working on historic buildings in Yorkshire. We have refurbished the Sheffield City Hall and Harrogate Royal Hall. We have also been appointed as the preferred contractor for the refurbishment of the City Varieties Theatre in Leeds.

"We're really proud to be involved at this stage with the iconic Arts Tower, and hope to continue our association with the City's finest and most historic buildings."

Neil Cameron, Director of Estates at the University of Sheffield, said:

"The renovation and refurbishment of the Arts Tower is a very exciting and challenging project for the University of Sheffield. The University is delighted to announce HBG Construction Ltd - North East as the preferred contractor for Phase one of the iconic building's refurbishment programme.

"We fully appreciate that the Arts Tower is a listed building and, along with HBG Construction, we will remain committed to restoring and preserving its architectural heritage, while at the same time ensuring that it meets the future needs of our staff and students."