Work gets underway to restore historic Sunderland city centre buildings

Work has started this week to restore two historic Sunderland buildings as part of an ongoing regeneration programme to preserve the city’s heritage.

The buildings at 177 High Street West and 1-2 Villiers Street are two of the last long-term vacant properties in the Old Sunderland Riverside Conservation Area, which are now being restored to their former glory and brought back into use.

This project serves as part of Sunderland’s Heritage Action Zone (HAZ), a scheme led and funded by Sunderland City Council and Historic England.

The Council owned properties will be transferred to the Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust (TWBPT). Working with Mosedale Gillatt Architects and Northern Construction Solutions Ltd, the Trust will deliver the first phase of the works with a £350k grant from the Levelling Up Fund and £65k from the Architectural Heritage Fund.

The works will see the properties undergo roof and structural repairs, the removal of pebble dash and rendering in lime render, and window repairs and replacements. The second phase of works will be funded by the HAZ partnership grant scheme and will enliven the street frontages with the reinstatement of high quality traditional shops fronts.

The project will build on the successful restoration and reuse of neighbouring 170-175 High Street West, which is now home to local businesses including Pop Recs and Sunshine Co-operative.

Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “After standing empty for many years, I’m delighted to see the restoration work begin at these fantastic buildings, helping to rejuvenate this historic part of our city centre and continue building upon the brilliant work of the Sunderland HAZ initiative.

“Between the important regeneration works in the city centre and the incredible new buildings transforming the skyline, Sunderland really is an exciting place to be.”

Dating back to the late 18th century when Old Sunderland, which began in the East End, started to expand westwards into Sunniside and what is now the city centre, the building at 177 High Street West was originally built with commercial space on the ground floor and residential homes above.

The rear building on Villiers Street is slightly younger and was a purpose built bank, with records describing it as the Union Joint Stock Bank.