Gateshead Old Town Hall regen in focus
Following the announcement of a £3.4m injection from the North East Combined Authority into the project, Capital&Centric has released more details of its plans for the grade two-listed building.
Once the local authority’s headquarters until the chamber, civic suite, and council offices were relocated to the new civic centre in 1987, the building and surrounding surface car parks are set to become a thriving neighbourhood with 243 homes, cafes, bars, restaurants, and green spaces.
Gateshead’s Old Town Hall is the only surviving purpose-built Victorian town hall in Tyne and Wear and the Manchester-based developer is in the process of preparing a detailed vision for the site ahead of public consultations later this year.
The city’s council agreed to partner with C&C on the project in May last year, and will be part of the wider regeneration of the town.
The funding is part of a wider plan by NECA to invest £22m in delivering 1,122 new homes on major brownfield sites across the region.
John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric said: “This is a rare opportunity to reimagine an iconic building as a place people can enjoy – whether that’s hanging out or calling it home.
“Our vision is to create a new neighbourhood, kick starting wider regeneration across Gateshead. We’re looking forward to working with the Mayor and the North East Combined Authority to deliver the transformation this town deserves.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “We are getting on with delivering new homes across the North East by announcing funding this month alone to unlock nine brownfield sites for 1,122 new homes – but the transformation of Gateshead’s Old Town Hall truly stands out.
“The Old Town Hall has huge untapped potential as a unique historic landmark at the heart of our Mayoral Development Zone for Newcastle-Gateshead, one of the most exciting urban regeneration opportunities in the North of England.
“By breathing life back into an iconic building that has stood empty too long we’re not only delivering much‑needed homes, we’re preserving a piece of our shared heritage and creating a place that will once again inspire local people for generations to come.”
Cllr Martin Gannon, the leader of Gateshead Council, said: “The Old Town Hall is a vital landmark, not only for Gateshead but for the whole of the North East.
“As Tyne and Wear’s only surviving Victorian town hall, it holds a unique place in our collective story. By securing its future with a new purpose that honours its past, we are ensuring this much loved building continues to inspire, connect and serve our communities for generations to come.”
Looks and sounds brilliant! Can’t wait to see this come forward.
By Anonymous