Member Article

Planning permission submitted to refurbish Newcastle office space Cuthbert House

North Yorkshire-based Commercial Estates Group (CEG) has submitted a planning permission proposal to refurbish Cuthbert House, based in Newcastle city centre.

Upgrading the 61,332 sq ft six floor office building, which sits close to the Tyne Bridge, follows CEG’s renovation work at Bede House, also based in Newcastle, in November last year.

Should permission be granted, the building will undergo a complete external facelift with feature lighting and new signage, in addition to improvements to public areas by creating a piazza-style entrance. The floor plates will be refurbished to a high specification providing new ceilings incorporating LG7 lighting, VRF air-conditioning and fully raised access floors.

Greg Lacey, CEG, commented: “This is an exciting time for the future of Cuthbert House. There is robust unsatisfied demand and a lack of Grade A space in the pipeline with only an estimated 102,900 sq ft currently available, equating to less than one year’s supply.

“We are working closely with our architects and design team to ensure the refurbishment is a true transformation that makes Cuthbert House and the All Saints Complex a principal commercial location in Newcastle.”

Aidan Baker, Director, Newcastle office agency at BNP Paribas Real Estate, commented: “City centre take up in 2015 totalled 244,491 sq ft, this is 35% up on the preceding year and the highest take up for five years.

“Cuthbert House is extremely well placed to provide essential space in the market, set against a backdrop of diminishing Grade A stock and a strong level of requirements for Grade A offices in the city centre.”

BNP Paribas Real Estate and Bilfinger GVA are joint letting agents on the scheme.