£18m riverside hotel takes shape in North East regeneration hotspot

A new multi-million pound hotel is taking shape at a riverside destination in Sunderland.

Steel frames have been erected at the new Holiday Inn development in the Keel Square in the centre of the city.

The 120-bed hotel, which will stand four storeys high when complete, will also feature active ground floor spaces that will be occupied by cafes and eateries

The development, which is being brought forward by Cairn Group, is expected to open its doors in spring 2022.

Cairn Group’s Richard Warren commented: “It’s fantastic to see the frame in place for this excellent new addition to the city’s hotel offer.

“We are really excited by the plans for Riverside Sunderland and can see such potential in this part of the city, so we’re delighted to be developing a venue that can play a part in the success of Sunderland.

“The hotel will stand in a prime position, allowing it to attract both leisure and business guests. It’s full steam ahead until opening now.”

Peter McIntrye, executive director of city development at Sunderland City Council, said: “The active ground floor frontage will make this hotel a hive of activity, with guests of the hotel and people living and working at Riverside Sunderland and the rest of the city centre able to make use of the eateries that open there.

“The hotel will play an important part in connecting the city centre to the Vaux site and we’re thrilled to see it moving forward.

“Hotel developments are a real vote of confidence in the city’s visitor economy as well as its ability to attract business travellers – and we’re pleased that Cairn Group can see the increasing sense of vibrancy that is building in Sunderland.”