Plans in for £70m One Founders Place
The 185,000 sq ft office development was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and forms part of the regeneration of Newcastle’s Stephenson Quarter being delivered by Igloo in partnership with the council.
The wider project team includes Planit, Arup, Avison Young, and RBA.
The proposed 12-storey development would be delivered alongside a new public square, Founders Square, and is intended to create a new commercial landmark close to the site of George and Robert Stephenson’s pioneering locomotive works.
The size of the proposed building has steadily increased, from a reported 100,000 sq ft in September 2024, to 130,000 sq ft in November last year.
Founders Square, designed by landscape architects Planit, would create a new tree-lined civic space and improve pedestrian and cycle connections between Newcastle Central Station, the Quayside, and the Stephenson Quarter.
The scheme has been designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent and WELL Building Standard accreditation and will feature all-electric heating and high-efficiency building systems, alongside rooftop terraces and a ground-floor restaurant and café.
Plans also include 104 long-stay cycle spaces, with showers and lockers, as part of measures designed to encourage active travel.
The development is expected to generate around 302 full-time equivalent construction jobs annually during its two-year build, alongside a further 456 jobs across the supply chain.
Once complete, the building is expected to accommodate around 1,300 workers and support a further 389 jobs in the local economy. The scheme is forecast to contribute almost £80m in annual Gross Value Added once fully occupied.
One Founders Place is part of the wider Founders Place masterplan, which is bringing forward a mix of homes, commercial space, and public realm alongside the restoration of the area’s industrial heritage.
The first phase, The Pattern Shop, was completed in 2024 and is now fully occupied by Atom Bank.
The next phase, Orchard Yard, will deliver 79 homes comprising apartments, duplexes and family houses, together with commercial space within the listed Machine Shop and Smiths Shop. Igloo submitted plans for this phase in July.
Meanwhile, the future of the grade two-listed Coppersmiths Shop, formerly part of the Robert Stephenson & Co. Works, is being explored as part of ongoing work to establish its viability and potential future uses.
Joe Broadley, development director at igloo, said: “One Founders Place is about much more than delivering a high quality office scheme – it’s about creating a destination that reflects Newcastle’s rich industrial heritage while providing the sustainable workplaces and welcoming public spaces that modern cities need to thrive.
“This investment is helping to attract new businesses, support skilled jobs and create a bustling city neighbourhood where people want to work, meet and spend time.
“By combining exceptional workspace with high quality public realm, we’re creating a place that will contribute to Newcastle’s long-term economic growth while celebrating the history that makes this location so distinctive.”
Patrick Matheson, partner at Knight Frank, the letting agent for One Founders Place, added: “Occupiers are increasingly looking for workplaces that help them attract and retain talent, support employee wellbeing and reflect their own sustainability ambitions.
“One Founders Place responds directly to that demand, combining exceptional connectivity next to Central Station with the highest environmental credentials, flexible floorplates, and outstanding public realm.
“Newcastle continues to attract ambitious businesses, but there remains a limited supply of high-quality grade A office accommodation. One Founders Place will provide a compelling opportunity for organisations looking to invest in the city and secure space that meets the expectations of today’s workforce.”
