Silverstone lands £3.2m contract to upgrade Glasshouse
The Newcastle-headquartered chartered building surveying firm was appointed following a competitive tender process to oversee the refurbishment of Sage One in Gateshead, the venue’s largest concert hall.
The 1,640-capacity hall will undergo improvements to its power flying system, stage lifts, stage surface, orchestral risers, and cooling systems.
The works are being delivered as part of the first phase of a multi-year capital renewal programme for the venue.
Silverstone director Phil Bone is leading the project, with specialist teams working across the various elements of the scheme over the summer.
The programme has been scheduled over a 10-week period, with the works being carried out during the hall’s summer closure to minimise disruption and allow Sage One to reopen in September.
The Glasshouse, formerly known as Sage Gateshead, opened in 2004 and is one of the North East’s most prominent music and cultural venues. The project represents the venue’s most significant programme of improvements since it opened.
Phil Bone said: “It’s a dream job because The Glasshouse is such an iconic building – it’s a privilege to play a part in ensuring it is enjoyed for generations to come.
“The works will see the quality and standard of the concert hall lifted to be as exceptional and efficient as they should be.”
Fraser Anderson, chief executive at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, said: “This is a vital investment in the future of The Glasshouse. I’m hugely grateful to all the donors and partners who have supported this first phase of our Renewal Programme, which aims to ensure our building and facilities serve the next generation just as brilliantly as they have for people during our first two decades.
“We chose to work with Silverstone because of their track record delivering complex projects in landmark buildings and their support has been invaluable in helping us plan a programme that keeps disruption to a minimum while we carry out this essential renewal.
“When artists, young people, and production teams return to Sage One in September, they will find essential work on our infrastructure has been completed. These upgrades will mean the amazing live music that happens here will be better supported, giving a substantially
improved experience for both performers and audiences.
“Over 20 years The Glasshouse has become a national landmark, and we’re determined to ensure it continues to shine brightly from the North East. We’re not just maintaining a building – we’re protecting one of the UK’s great homes for live music, creative education, and artistic expression.”
