Castle gets underway on South Shields student accommodation conversion
Work has begun on the conversion of the former BT business centre at One Harton Quay into a 125-bed scheme, as part of the relocation of South Tyneside College and South Shields Marine School to the town centre.
Main contractor Castle has been appointed to transform the four-storey, glass-fronted building on the riverside. The accommodation will comprise en-suite bedrooms arranged in clusters, alongside individual studio apartments and communal facilities including lounges, kitchens, study spaces and a reception area with security provision.
The building’s exterior, originally designed to resemble the bow of a ship, will remain largely unchanged.
The redevelopment forms part of the £95m wider college relocation project, which will see the college move from its existing Westoe site to a 162,000 sq ft town-centre campus.
Construction of the main campus began in summer 2025 and is continuing, with the new building due to welcome its first students for the September 2027 intake.
The main campus will be accessed from King Street through a double-height glass atrium behind the reception entrance. A second entrance on Barrington Street will provide a link to the wider campus.
The project is being delivered by Castle in partnership with Tyne Coast College and South Tyneside Council, with GSS Architecture and ELG Planning also part of the project team.
Funding is being provided by Tyne Coast College, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, the Department for Education, South Tyneside Council and the government’s Local Regeneration Fund.
A public consultation held by the council in 2022 found significant support for the relocation, with more than 80% of respondents backing plans for a livelier town centre.
Cllr Dave Royal, lead member for economic growth, investment and regeneration said: “This is the next piece of the jigsaw in this transformational scheme. One Harton Quay is a real landmark on the riverside and it will be fantastic to bring it back into use.
“Part of our regeneration ambition is focused on strengthening the connection between the town centre and the riverside.
“Generating footfall between the main campus and the student accommodation will do exactly that, bringing in revenue for new and existing businesses,
“It will complement the investment going into the Mill Dam area and help create a modern campus and accommodation offer for our young people.”
Dr Lindsey Whiterod CBE, chief executive of Tyne Coast College said: “Providing high-quality student accommodation in the heart of the town will help us create a vibrant, connected campus experience and support learners from across the region and beyond.
“Alongside the new college building, this development will play a vital role in attracting students, strengthening the local economy, and helping to realise our shared vision for the regeneration of South Shields town centre. We are delighted to see progress continuing across both projects as we move closer to welcoming students to an exceptional new learning environment in 2027.”
Craig Muldoon, divisional director – build, at Castle said: “With the main campus progressing well, our teams are now focussed on One Harton Quay.
“Preparatory works are well underway and we will deliver this latest part of the project so that completion is in line with the timing of the overall scheme. It is a landmark building overlooking the River Tyne and we are proud to refurbish it for a new, exciting future.”
