Design Q&A: ‘It’s time Newcastle had a five-star hotel’

Gotham Newcastle is closing on its launch in spring 2025. Place North East spoke to Oliver Redfern, who is leading on the project for interior design firm Squid.inc.

Squid.inc is an interior design firm, specialising in hotels, restaurants and clubs. Among its project roster are a pair of Hotel Brooklyn operations, in Manchester and Leicester.

Over the past three years, the firm has been working on an interior design brief for Gotham Newcastle, on Pilgrim Street.

The development of Gotham Newcastle by Bespoke Hotels follows in the footsteps of Hotel Gotham in Manchester, a redevelopment of the city’s only Lutyens-designed building, which won a raft of industry awards following its 2015 launch. Leonardo now operates the hotel.

Consent for the full Newcastle project was secured in February this year, with a previous planning permission, for 60 bedrooms in the former fire station, expanded into the adjacent police station and magistrates’ court. Ryder is the overall architect for the scheme, which is being brought forward by Taras Properties, developer of the wider Pilgrim Quarter.

There will be 90 bedrooms at Gotham. Credit: planning documents

Why is this such an important project for the city?

The scale of the investment into Newcastle city centre and the football club is hard evidence of the enduring popularity of the destination. It is time that the city had a five-star hotel to be truly proud of, which delivers a high level of service and sophistication, all with a cheeky smile. We hope the city will take Gotham Newcastle to its heart.

Who are the other professional firms you’ve worked with on this?

Any project of this size has numerous parties involved, too many to list but critical to our vision being realized FYR Projects, Ryder and CAPS Group have been key.

When did you first become involved?

The project first became known to Squid.inc back in late 2020, however we didn’t formally begin designing the project until late 2021, so as you can imagine by that point we had garnered quite a few ideas for its potential.

Obviously the 1933 grade two-listed former Fire Station very much suited our company ethos of recognising that every property has its own essential character, history and surroundings when it comes to the interior design.

What’s the timeline for delivery, and what can we expect to see along with the accommodation?

The first phase of the project is the former Fire Station which will launch in spring 2025 offering 60 thoughtfully designed bedrooms for a luxurious and unique stay.

The Police Station side of the hotel will open in autumn 2025, with a further 30 carefully curated bedrooms.

Guests will be able to enjoy a mix of room types including the famous Gotham Sanctum Suites (the Manchester equivalents have been described as ‘showstoppers’), whilst other facilities will include the ‘Fire Station’ public bar, exclusive members bar, restaurant and some exceptional function facilities set within the former magistrates courtrooms. The event space in the historic courtrooms will be perfect for gatherings of up to 120 guests.

Whilst Gotham is a distinctive brand, influenced by the art deco period, golden age of travel and all the glamour of 1930s Hollywood, it remains important that the buildings’ heritage is not forgotten and moreover forms the foundations to the overall design.

What is the design approach to linking the three separate listed buildings?

The former Fire and Police Station buildings retain their own character in terms of style and past usage, yet the new layer of interior interventions will provide guests with a sense of continuity throughout, which is important.

Key to the success of the two buildings working as one has been the architect’s design of a modern glazed corridor system that allows guests to seamlessly wander between the buildings.

 What do you see as the outstanding heritage features that will stand out for visitors?

In the initial phase it was the old engine room where the fire engines were once stored ready for action. The space had a very utilitarian feel and was never meant to be anything other than practical. However, we felt it was important to retain at some level this quality, whilst ensuring the finished interior would feel welcoming to a new clientele when it becomes the hotel’s main bar.

The Police Station has a wealth of features! For example, the former magistrate’s floor has everything from oak panelled courtrooms to a terrazzo wall clad lobby and staircase featuring a magnificent stained-glass window. What do we intend do with these spaces? Well, you will have to just wait and see.

Has there been anything that you’d like to have kept, but won’t be able to?

I loved the old roller shutter doors in the engine room, and I had hoped to retain them on display, albeit in their open position. However, as the practicalities of creating a hotel became a reality, it soon became clear that unfortunately this would no longer be the case, with the need for acoustic and mechanical service runs requiring the space they once occupied.

Bedroom designs will be ‘carefully curated’ said Redfern. Credit: via Four Walls