Stephenson Quarter steams ahead

Submitted by on Wed, 19.11.08

It's full steam ahead for a £200m city centre development that is set to change Newcastle's skyline.

After four years of detailed planning, property developer Silverlink, has been given the go-ahead to transform an area - to be known as the Stephenson Quarter - adjacent to the city's Central Station.

Members of Newcastle City Council's development committee gave unanimous, cross-party support (November 14, 2008) to a scheme that will maintain the momentum of transformation and investment across the whole city.

The Stephenson Quarter will feature two new hotels, 155 flats, 40,000 sq metres of high quality office space, a multi-storey car park, a new post office sorting facility, cultural buildings, shops, restaurants and new public spaces and landscaping.

The area, bounded by Forth Street, Orchard Street, Hanover Street and Forth Banks, is expected to take up to 10 years to redevelop.

Silverlink's ambitious scheme will redevelop this neglected 10-acre area of the city, transforming derelict buildings into a dazzling mixed-use district, preserving the future of historic buildings that were key sites in the Industrial Revolution.

The site, which is located in the City's Central Conservation District, contains some of the country's most significant industrial heritage buildings, including the offices at 20 South Street where Robert Stephenson’s engineering works gave birth to the Rocket and the railway age.

These buildings, currently unattractive and in a dilapidated condition, will be restored and preserved for the future.

More importantly, the scheme will breathe life and vibrancy into a currently underused part of Newcastle's city centre, strengthening the area's economy, creating more than 2,500 jobs and broadening the city's tourism and business offer.

The decision to go ahead is seen as a vote of confidence in the area and is regarded by many as a stimulus to the wider economy.

David Slater, Newcastle City Council's executive director of environment and regeneration, said: "This is one of the biggest and most detailed applications we have ever received. It will revive a neglected area of the city to bring jobs, homes, hotels and history to life. We are very excited that such a quality development has been approved, even in tough times."

David Clouston, managing director of Newcastle-based Silverlink, said: "The decision to proceed is the culmination of four years of very hard work by a dedicated team of designers and planning specialists. Enormous effort was put into consultation to ensure every concern was raised and addressed in the most constructive way possible. Nothing was overlooked.

"The markets may have changed for the worse in recent times but this is a city centre site of great opportunity. We and the city are completely confident about its strength and potential to attract investors, occupiers and visitors."

Intercontinental Hotel Group has already confirmed its 250-bed, 4-star Crowne Plaza Hotel on the site, facing Forth Street. This and the rest of phase one, comprising office space, a 300-space multi-storey car park and post office sorting facility facing Forth Banks, will start on site early next summer.

Michelle Percy, marketing director at Silverlink, has already confirmed that she is in informal discussions with a number of interested parties for 100,000 sq ft and for 150,000sq ft of office space later into the phased development.

She said: "This will be one of the Newcastle's biggest mixed developments in the coming years and interest is already high. The city is seen as a vibrant and dynamic location and sites like the Stephenson Quarter are fairly unique."

Great planning has gone into the creation of attractive new public routes, both east west and north south, along with new landscaped public places. This will comprise mature planting, interesting street furniture and paving along with a fountain area.

Michelle Percy added: "We aim to create a dynamic area that will reach out and draw people into the different spaces and buildings, and encourage them to return. Stephenson Quarter will promote access for all and breathe new life into the area."

Anybody requiring further information on the Stephenson Quarter should contact Michelle Percy on 0191 222 0607.