Developers to Transform Gateshead Old Town Hall
Developers have unveiled plans to transform Gateshead’s historic Old Town Hall into new homes. Manchester-based Capital&Centric swooped for the empty town hall building two months ago, raising hopes that the derelict site would finally be brought back into use after numerous failed attempts.
The Newcastle Chronicle is reporting that the building was the town’s main civic building until 1987, but it has lain mostly empty in recent years. The Grade II listed building, where filming took place for an episode of ITV show Vera earlier this year, has provided a base for several social and cultural sector organisations over the years while a permanent use for it was being sought.
Most recently, plans for a dinosaur-themed attraction and the creation of an Unnatural History Museum emerged in 2018, but none of the proposals ever came to fruition. Now Capital&Centric has confirmed it has signed an agreement to acquire and sensitively repurpose the building into “design-led” new homes.
The company’s architects are now working up a plan to bring the building back into use, pledging to reveal more details in the coming months as a planning application is created.
John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric said: “The Old Town Hall is a local landmark that really stops you in your tracks as you pass by. We want to preserve and celebrate its history, but repurpose it for a new generation to enjoy for decades to come. We’re working up proposals for it to become new homes and can’t wait to share our ideas over the coming months. It makes sense that this building, which served the people of Gateshead for so long, can be reinvented to do so once again.”
The Old Town Hall will mark Capital&Centric’s first foray into the North East, having delivered a number of regeneration projects in key towns and cities, including Manchester, Stockport and Sheffield. The firm’s founders Tim Heatley and Adam Higgins have also featured on TV shows such as Channel 4’s Big Interiors Battle and the BBC’s Manctopia, after gaining a reputation for reinventions of old buildings and brownfield sites.
Anneliese Hutchinson, Gateshead Council’s interim strategic director for economy, innovation and growth, added: “We are delighted that Capital&Centric have today confirmed they do want to redevelop this historic building, breathing new life into it by converting it into apartments. They have an exemplary record of accomplishment in developing historic buildings nationwide and we feel privileged they have now chosen Gateshead as their next project.
“The building has latterly been in use by a few social and cultural sector bodies, but it has always been our intention to look at a more permanent solution. This development will be a key part of our town centre regeneration plans and we look forward to working with them on this.”