Member Article

Developer Sought To Complete Gateshead's Cultural Jigsaw

Gateshead Coucil has begun its search for a developer who can transform a prime piece of land on the banks of the River Tyne. The 5.5 acre-site, which sits between the stunning Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Quays housing development, represents the final piece in the Gateshead Quays jigsaw. Now, Gateshead Council has launched a “Wanted” campaign to try to find a world-class developer with real vision who can create a development worthy of the site’s position. And this is no mean feat since the final development will be surrounded by buildings that have attracted no fewer than 37 national and international building and design awards.

Gateshead Council believes that the site, referred to as Gateshead Quays Phase 2 or GQ2, offers the chance to create a significant public space within Gateshead Quays, perhaps incorporating a network of small streets and courtyards with family friendly bars, restaurants, street cafes and specialist shops, hotel and possibly some residential and small scale office development.

Leader of Gateshead Council, Councillor Mick Henry, says: “GQ2 offers a unique opportunity to create a first-class development in a world-famous location, on one of the most important and desirable pieces of development land in the UK. “We see this as an area for people - for shoppers, for visitors, for people who live and work close by, or for people who are simply out for a stroll - so we’d like to see a development that creates a pedestrian-friendly urban environment, where people will want to come to live, to work and to relax.”

Gateshead Council expects to consider initial expressions of interest in the spring prior to agreeing a shortlist of the most promising proposals for more detailed consideration during the summer.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .