Newcastle site renamed One Founders Place
The 100,000 sq ft office development planned for the heart of Newcastle’s heritage Stephenson Quarter was formerly called The Pioneer.
Agent Knight Frank has been appointed to secure pre-let partners for the re-named One Founders Place, which will offer planet-positive office space over 10 storeys. The development signals a key entry point to the wider £137m Founders Place scheme taking shape across the site.
Designed by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, One Founders Place is one of several climate-positive buildings planned for the area. One Founders Place is being brought to market by igloo Regeneration with Thriving Investments, in a partnership with Newcastle City Council called Founders Place LLP.
The site will be near where the famous George and Robert Stephenson’s first purpose-built locomotive factory was established in 1823, beside Newcastle’s central train station.
Joe Broadley, development director from igloo Regeneration, said: “One Founders Place will sit on an incredible location with an industrial legacy that few UK cities can boast. Many historic sites have been lost over the decades and so we wanted to ensure that the Stephenson legacy, such as the soaring brick railway arches, will be visibly reflected throughout the scheme.
CGI view of rooftop terrace. Credit: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
Cllr Alex Hay, cabinet member for Thriving City at Newcastle City Council, said: “Founders Place is a key part of our city’s history. By working in partnership with igloo Regeneration, we are committed to reinvigorating this historic and distinctive part of Newcastle.
“The successful opening of The Pattern Shop, following its renovation earlier this year, demonstrated that this area is an important part of our plans to create an inclusive, green economy that also preserves the proud heritage of our city.”
The rebrand was announced just as new evidence was published by Historic England that shows the best way to boost a town or city’s economy is to invest in its cultural past. By applying strict mathematical criteria, the research found that wherever heritage and cultural history are linked to the new business communities, greater economic productivity and business growth follows.
The study also showed that where cultural heritage is abundant, the area performs better economically. On average, an increase in the cultural heritage is associated with a real GDP growth of 0.14%.
One Founders Place has been designed to have panoramic views of the city, natural lighting and environmentally sound technologies, such as onsite renewable energy and all electric heating and cooling systems.
