'Ambitious' new plans unveiled for £250m Gateshead Quays development

The vision for Gateshead Quays has been unveiled by Gateshead Council, Ask Real Estate, PATRIZIA and architects HOK.

The 3.84 hectare site is said to be transformed to incorporate a £250m state-of-the-art, 12,500 seat entertainment arena, a convention and exhibition centre as well as hotels, bars, restaurants and extensive public realm.

Gateshead Quays, one of seven schemes officially backed by the Department for International Trade, has the potential to hold major music and cultural events, as well as conferences and exhibitions.

It is also anticipated to support over 1,140 jobs with well over half being newly created. Attracting an extra 296,000 visitors to the region, it is estimated to boost the regional economy by over £30m annually in the future.

The masterplan proposes that the development will connect the waterfront to the town centre and is the missing piece of the jigsaw creating a destination that will draw people across the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.

Acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider quays area including the 14 hectares at Baltic Quarter.

Cllr Martin Gannon, Gateshead Council leader, said: “Gateshead Quayside speaks for itself but there are still things to be done.

“What would you put between Norman Foster’s Sage Gateshead, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art and the Gateshead Millennium Bridge? It needs to be innovative and striking…

“It is one of the most exciting development opportunities in the UK today, I think it’s absolutely the right thing to do in this location. This is a gamechanger not just for Gateshead but for the region.”

John Rhodes, director of sport and entertainment at HOK, added: “With one the most amazing river sites in Europe, the Quays project offers a unique opportunity to combine existing facilities such as the Sage Gateshead, in an exceptional new event and entertainment destination.

“We are delighted to be working with Ask, PATRIZIA and Gateshead Council on such an ambitious, and groundbreaking project.”

Gateshead Council are continuing to work with their development partners with planning applications predicted to be submitted in early 2019.

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