Place North East 2024: top five stories
You’ve been on the edge of your seats all year but now you can relax. Place North East has analysed the data and your top five stories from 2024 (according to Google analytics) can now be revealed!
HMRC Newcastle office rises out of ground
Back in July, construction of HMRC’s new base in Newcastle’s Pilgrim’s Quarter was progressing at pace, and you guys wanted to know all about it.
The Newcastle building will be the largest of HMRC’s 14 regional centres, measuring 463,000 sq ft. Construction work started in June 2022 and contractor Bowmer + Kirkland topped out on the 463,000 sq ft building in October, attended by representatives from HMRC, developer Reuben Brothers Newcastle, project maanger Avison Young, architect Ryder, and engineer Cundall. Handover is due late 2025.
HMRC’s new North East HQ will take a prominent corner position. Credit: Avison Young
Wraps off at Worswick Chambers (Pilgrim Street)
This story appeared right at the beginning of the year, in January. For the first time in 20 years, the scaffolding that had hidden the listed Newcastle building was removed, as repairs to the roofs and elevations neared completion.
Worswick Chambers and 93 -101 Pilgrim Street have now been fully refurbished by Reuben Brothers vehicle Taras Properties, with the project team also including Avison Young, Ryder Architecture, SHED Engineers and OOBE Landscape architects. The contractor is Bowmer + Kirkland.
The next phase of the project will see the building become a Stack street food leisure complex, operated by Anson House.
Ryder is the architect on the restoration and redevelopment. Credit: Avison Young
Sunderland advances Crowtree project
In April, the city council appointed advisor Stärka to create a 60,000 sq ft entertainment district on the former leisure centre site, adjacent to the Riverside Sunderland urban quarter.
Crowtree, which closed in stages in the early 2000s, has long been promoted as an area of possibility, and is expected to tie-in with nearby developments such as the Culture House and Keel Square’s F&B offer. The site had been floated as a possible home for a 10,000-capacity arena.
Sunderland is aiming high with its entertainment zone. Credit: via Aver
Retailers gear up for Bishop Auckland opening
Back in April, work completed on the 160,000 sq ft Bishop Auckland Retail & Leisure Park and retailers couldn’t wait to swoop in, including Reel Cinemas, The Range and PureGym.
Advanced by Bradford-based Fieldon Bridge Developments, the park opened in the summer. Now, owner Prestige Properties plans to add another three retail units, a petrol station, and more car parking in phase 2 of the scheme.
Popeyes is already trading, while others fit out. Credit: via WSB
VIDEO | Wates to take on next Teesside Uni project
In February plans were unveiled for the £40m Digital Life building, with the contractor lined up for its fourth job within the university’s ongoing Middlesbrough campus masterplan.
Set for completion in spring 2025, the development will provide a focal point for digital teaching and learning, continuing the university’s masterplan, which has seen more than £280m invested so far.
The university is keen to develop the campus further. Credit: Teesside University
And that’s a wrap for 2024! We wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year – let’s see what next year has in store.
