The foundations are being laid and some steelwork already in place but the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) says it's too early to say what sort of floor plan its new Whanganui office will have.
The new office, being built on St Hill St, between Guyton St and Ingestre St, will place all the Ministry's services under one roof, including Work and Income, Child Youth and Family, and Senior Services.
The interior design has come into focus in the wake of the fatal shooting of two staff at the Ashburton Work and Income offices in September 2014.
The lone gunman, Russell John Tully, shot dead receptionist Peggy Noble (67) and case manager Susan Leigh Cleveland (55). Tully was this year jailed for at least 27 years.
WorkSafe has taken to the Ministry to court alleging that the Ministy failed to take all practicable steps to ensure staff was not exposed to hostile or violent clients.