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Landmark Jesmond site set to create 100 jobs in £6.4 million redevelopment

The former site of the famous Jesmond Picture House in Newcastle is set for a major revival following the announcement of a £6.4 million redevelopment scheme, led by property investment firm MK Partnership, which will create around 100 jobs..

At an official launch event, it was unveiled the landmark development that includes office and retail space will be known as ‘The Jesmond’.

The design of the new development was conceived by renowned architect Kevin Owens, who was the Design Principal with the London Organising Committee for the London 2012 Olympic Games. The award-winning architect’s current projects include England’s Rugby World Cup in 2015 and a new urban masterplan in the Middle East.

The impressive scheme, located next to West Jesmond Metro station, has been supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government’s (DCLG) and a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) due to the employment opportunities it will deliver to SMEs.

Sainsbury’s will occupy one of the retail spaces at The Jesmond with the aim of providing local shoppers with greater choice and convenience. In addition to over 2,000sq m of workspace, the site boasts outside terrace areas on two of the three floors and the building facade is made of high quality reconstituted stone rather than widely used concrete.

Sunil Mehra of the MK Partnership, said: “We are delighted to unveil the updated plan for this historic site that will help regenerate the area and deliver a huge amount of value to the local economy.

“We are privileged to have such a talented and passionate architectural team behind The Jesmond. Stuart Palmer at Studio-SP has maintained the design integrity of Kevin Owen’s original concept to deliver a building with contemporary and exciting design that will become a landmark not just in Jesmond but Newcastle as well.

“Alongside the significant economic benefits that this scheme will deliver, we firmly believe The Jesmond is a fitting tribute to the original building and this site.”

The project will see the regeneration of a brownfield site and, if required, the accommodation can house at least nine separate businesses. It is being managed by Knight Frank in Newcastle, the selected agent for the project.

The modern commercial space is expected to provide a new focal point for this vibrant and highly-populated Tyneside suburb and become the first of its type in Jesmond in terms of its world-class environmental credentials.

Although plans for the Jesmond Picture House were delayed due to the recession, the launch of The Jesmond marks the end of that period as well an improving economic climate.

Sunil said: “We have invested a huge amount of time, effort and resource over the last few years to ensure we can restore this site into a top quality, state-of-the art and environmentally-friendly building, whilst also making it work for the local community.

“We have maintained a high quality scheme without compromise by taking a measured approach to the project. Once our grant application was signed by the Secretary of State and additional ERDF support was assured, the time had come to deliver The Jesmond.”

The floorplan design has been refined to ensure the new commercial site is built in accordance to the ‘very good’ BREEAM standards, which is the world’s leading design and assessment method for sustainable buildings.

Patrick Matheson, partner at Knight Frank Newcastle, said: “We are very excited to be part of such a landmark office development in Jesmond, the quality of which has never been available before in this area.

“Given the proximity to West Jesmond Metro Station and the lifestyle and amenities that Jesmond offers, the site will deliver something genuinely unique to businesses and their staff.”

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