Member Article

Refurb at Gainsborough House on Grey Street to create over 15,000 sq ft of office space

An historic Grade II listed building in the heart of Newcastle city centre is to undergo a significant refurbishment in a bid to attract new tenants.

Work on the LRE Capital-owned Gainsborough Building on Grey Street is currently underway to refit three vacant floors into over 15,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.

The mixed-use five-storey building, which LRE acquired in 2015, currently hosts Cafe Rouge on the ground floor and Manpower on the second, but its three upper floors have remained empty since Irwin Mitchell Solicitors vacated the building earlier in the year.

Silverstone Building Consultancy have been tasked with project managing the six-figure refurbishment work which will also include work on the communal reception area at the building.

Ben Hunter, director at Silverstone Building Consultancy commented: “We have worked closely with both LRE Capital and the letting agents to develop a refurbishment scheme that will create modern, flexible office accommodation to appeal to potential occupiers.

“The reception area of the building will be completely modernised and all vacant office suites refurbished to a high specification. At third floor level we will also be raising the floor to allow for a much improved view out onto Grey Street.”

AMH Workspace Ltd have been appointed as the main contractors on the project while local property firms Knight Frank and Naylors will market the building to prospective tenants as joint-letting agents.

Simon Taylor, head of office agency at Naylors, added: “This is exciting news as Gainsborough House has all the components to make an excellent solution for any firm looking for high specification city centre offices.

“Grey Street has a great deal to offer in terms of amenities, access to public transport and parking. However there are only a limited number of buildings that are in first class condition so we believe that Gainsborough House will prove to be very popular amongst office occupiers once the works have been carried out.”

Work is expected to complete in January with interested tenants able to choose from three vacant office suites ranging from 4,500 sq ft to a maximum combined space of 15,700 sq ft.