Pilgrim’s Quarter moves closer to completion

A 9000-job city centre development is making significant progress.

The £155 million Pilgrim’s Quarter regeneration project, in Newcastle, is on track for completion. 

The base will become a major Government hub for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the North East.

Once complete, the 463,000sq ft regional centre, which wraps around a complete block of property fronting Pilgrim Street, Market Street, New Bridge Street West and John Dobson Street, will house 9000 staff, making it the largest of HMRC’s 14 regional offices.

Part of the wider Pilgrim Street regeneration scheme, the development is led by Avison Young, with architectural design by Ryder Architecture, engineering expertise from Cundall and construction by Bowmer and Kirkland. 

Chris Turnbull, principal at Avison Young, said: “We remain delighted with progress on the project, which is on target for hand over to HMRC for their fit out in quarter four of 2025. 

“Completion of the steelwork, tying in the Listed Carliol House façade, has allowed the building to be fully enclosed, while internally good progress has been made upon the comprehensive mechanical and engineering systems.”

Paul Anderson, contracts manager at Bowmer and Kirkland, added. “It has been a fantastic 12 months for the project, particularly with the regeneration of the Carliol House façade, which can now be seen in all its glory. 

“The building is becoming a landmark structure within the city and, with the envelope practically complete, we can now focus on the remaining floor plate fit outs and the main systems commissioning.”

Developers are scheduled to hand over the shell of the building to HMRC for it to be fitted out towards the end of 2025, with the centre earmarked for opening in 2027. 

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