16/9/2009 Construction begins on £200m Downing Plaza in Newcastle

Construction work has commenced on a £200m mixed-use development that will transform the former Scottish and Newcastle Brewery site into six new landmark buildings, kick-starting the regeneration of Gallowgate.

Liverpool-based property group Downing is now on-site with the first phase of Downing Plaza - the largest planning application to be granted in Newcastle city centre since Eldon Square in 1973.

Scheduled for completion in spring 2011, phase one will feature 100,000 sq ft of new office space which was entirely pre-let by Newcastle University Business School (NUBS) last year in a record deal for the city’s property market.

The scheme is being built by Downing’s in-house contracting division George Downing Construction (GDC) and is expected to support up to 150 jobs in the local construction supply chain.

Ian Orton, director of GDC, said: “Downing Plaza represents a significant investment in the North East. We are looking forward to delivering a scheme that will have a positive impact on the regional economy during its construction and beyond, by attracting further investment and creating employment opportunities.

“Like any city Newcastle has been challenged by the downturn but the fundamentals remain compelling. It’s a great place to do business and the city needs development on this scale in order for it to compete and grow alongside other UK and European provincial capitals.”

The plans for Downing Plaza were developed in partnership with Newcastle City Council and were subject to a nine-month public consultation exercise. Once completed, the scheme will act as the gateway to the city’s wider Science Central master plan in Gallowgate.

Jim McIntyre, chief executive of 1NG, the city development company for NewcastleGateshead said: “We are delighted to welcome this new investment by Downing and Newcastle University. The flagship Newcastle University Business School is an important step in our plans for phase one of the 24-acre Science Central site, which will see an exciting new quarter created in the city with a strong science ethos running through it. Newcastle University’s commitment to this is a welcome boost to the overall project.

“At a time when the property market has been challenging it is encouraging to see a private sector developer, such as Downing bring forward this major development in the centre of Newcastle.”

In February 2008 Downing Plaza achieved Newcastle’s largest ever commercial pre-let when Newcastle University Business School agreed to take 100,000 sq ft in the first phase of the development.

Ian Clarke, Director of Newcastle University Business School, said: “Newcastle is a diverse, friendly and cosmopolitan city that is fast becoming an internationally renowned centre of culture and science. The Downing Plaza development will certainly help confirm this position for Newcastle as a city.

“We are delighted that work is beginning on the new building which will house our flagship business school. The new premises will provide first class facilities for our students and staff. Its location next to Science City and high profile office developments will allow us to further develop our links with science and businesses within the region.”

Future phases of Downing Plaza will include an additional 100,000 sq ft of offices, two hotels - a 183-bed hotel and 102-bed suite hotel - a 462-bed student village and extensive retail space, across six steel and glass-clad buildings designed by acclaimed architects Ian Simpson.

PICTURED LEFT TO RIGHT:
Jim McIntyre (1NG), Ian Orton (George Downing Construction), Ian Clarke (Newcastle University Business School)