Plans for expanded hotel in former city centre fire and police stations approved

Progress with plans to bring a boutique hotel development on Pilgrim Street in Newcastle city centre has made further progress.

Following the grant of planning permission and Listed Building Consent in 2021 for a 60-bed hotel in the former Fire Station building, permission has now also been granted by Newcastle City Council for an additional 30 bedrooms in the adjacent former Police Station and Magistrates Court building.

The now 90-bedroom development will include dining, food and drink offers within the Grade II listed building.

The addition of the former Magistrates courts will also create a bar and function room in the two courtrooms and a dining room in the former judge’s room on the second floor.

The courtyard space between the two buildings will be transformed into hard and soft landscaped areas in addition to space at the front of the building, outside the former fire engine bays, for a pavement café.

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Taras Properties, which owns the buildings, has worked up the development proposals with Newcastle City Council and the Bespoke Group who intend to operate their Gotham hotel brand from the site.

Matt Verlander, Planning Director at Avison Young; “This is an excellent scheme bringing forward a high-quality hotel and dining offer which isn’t currently provided within Newcastle city centre.  The transformation of these sensitive and historic buildings will transform the environment of Pilgrim Street with the hotel forming part of the wider programme of development on Pilgrim Street extending from Bank House and Worswick Chambers in the south to Pilgrim’s Quarter - the new home for HMRC - in the north.”

The building was opened in 1933 and used as the main Fire Station for Newcastle until its closure in 2005.