Consultancy completes new 'super branch' for Newcastle Building Society in city centre
A multimillion-pound refurbishment of a grade II-listed building has opened paving the way for a UK super bank for Newcastle Building Society.
The new branch in Newcastle city centre spans 10,000 sq ft and, as well as financial services facilities, incorporates a range of collaboration and free-to-use community spaces for customers, local charities, civic groups, and businesses.
The 200-year-old building, which is a six-storey corner unit next to Grey's Monument, has had a full-height extension added to the rear, which contains a new staircase, as well as extensive mechanical and engineering works.
The project management team encountered unforeseen challenges during the 11-month works programme, including water ingress on the lower ground floor that sits underneath Eldon Square shopping centre.
Arcas Building Solutions was the lead contractor; Architects Group drew up the plans; M Worldwide was the interior designer; Clark Degnan carried out the M&E work; and KLR handled the planning.
Josh Brown, associate director at Silverstone Building Consultancy, said: "This was an ambitious project which has breathed new life into an iconic building that had been vacant for many years.
“There were challenges along the way including restricted access, working within listed-building confines and water ingress but the whole professional team and the client worked cohesively and effectively together to overcome these.
"We're incredibly proud of the end result."
Andrew Haigh, chief executive of Newcastle Building Society, added: "Monument is our biggest single branch investment and a huge commitment to our home city. It is much more than a branch, it’s a place with the next generation in mind, with free-to-use spaces serving our community and civic partners.
"I'd like to thank Silverstone for steering this redevelopment forward and helping us realise our ambition of creating a hub that will benefit the whole community."
Words: Alice Bird