Gateshead set for jobs boost as council approves £12.5m office scheme

Gateshead Council has approved plans for a £12.5m office development that could bring hundreds of jobs to Baltic Business Quarter.

The Grade A scheme, to be located next to the quays, will be leased by the real estate arm of French international banking group BNP Paribas.

Newcastle architects Ryder Architecture designed the 50,000 sq ft building, which will be built by construction firm Willmott Dixon.

It will be Gateshead’s first new Grade A office development in almost 10 years.

Approval was granted after planners at Gateshead Council decided it would make “a significant contribution to the identified need for high-quality office floor space in the borough”.

The authority’s chief exec, Sheena Ramsey, said of the project: “The commission of this new office development is another step towards achieving the vision for the broader Gateshead Quays.

“It’s an exciting time for the borough. Not only will it bring around 600 new jobs to Gateshead but it will give a much needed boost to the local economy.”

Work on the scheme is due to complete in late 2019.

Aidan Baker, director at BNP Paribas Real Estate, commented: “Grade A office supply in Newcastle city centre and Gateshead has diminished significantly over the past three years and consequently demand outstrips availability for brand new accommodation.

“The new office building at Baltic Business Quarter will therefore provide an excellent opportunity for potential occupiers to locate to the accessible and prominent area of Gateshead Quays.”

He continued: “We foresee the flexible 9,000 sq ft floor plates not only appealing to SMEs, but large corporates looking to base themselves in a high specification headquarters building with excellent car parking and amenity.”