Contractors CBC are now on site at the A-listed Russell Institute on the corner of New Street and Causeyside Street in Paisley.
Earlier this year, the council took over ownership of the building from the NHS, which had been empty since 2011.
Works involve a number of specialist contracts restoring the sites features, including the stonework, statues and railings.
Opening in late 2016, the building will contain a skills and training hub.
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Council Leader Mark Macmillan said: "The Russell Institute is one of the finest examples of Paisley's outstanding architectural legacy – within Scotland only Edinburgh has a greater concentration of listed buildings than we do.
"The project to restore the Russell Institute has been years in the making and we are delighted it is now entering the construction stage.
"This is just the latest bit of good news in the ongoing rebirth of Paisley town centre, with plans moving ahead for a £56.7m revamp of Paisley Museum, development on the Arnotts site nearing completion, and the Townscape Heritage Initiative which has transformed Causeyside Street almost finished too."
CBC MD James McAlpine added: "Following the successful delivery of the Paisley Town Hall refurbishment project, we are absolutely delighted to be working with Renfrewshire Council to bring new life to another of Paisley’s architectural gems."
(LM)
