A £1m refurbishment is underway at one of Newcastle’s most prominent office buildings to elevate its environmental credentials following a rise in demand for ‘best in class’ workspace.
Wellbar Properties, who took ownership of the Gallowgate’s Wellbar Central in December, has initiated a programme of works to revamp two vacant suites, including the installation of new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
The 10-storey building, which is already home to high-profile organisations such as Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, Global Radio, Turnitin, and Sky, as well as XPS Pension Group and Advance Business Software, comprises 118,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office accommodation.
The vacant ninth floor, which extends to 11,354 sq. ft of open plan office space, is undergoing refurbishment and will offer occupiers unrivalled views across one of the city’s most vibrant developing neighbourhoods when the works complete in May.
Meanwhile, on the eighth floor, a fully renovated suite totalling 4,751 sq. ft. will also soon be available, and for those that require a ‘plug and play’ solution, there is a fourth-floor suite of 2,634 sq. ft., with 24 workstations, an eight-person meeting room, kitchen, and additional collaboration, meeting and break out spaces.
The finished works, which are being managed by MAPP Building Consultancy, will add to the significant regeneration the Gallowgate area has seen in recent years, with the introduction of the international technology and science quarter Newcastle Helix, a joint development between Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University, as well as Home Group’s One Strawberry Lane development, which has attracted both charities and businesses to host events and meetings of all sizes, and in some cases, move their operations entirely.
Further development is also on the way to further enhance the location, not least with the creation of the shipping container village that will house the Newcastle United fan zone, due to open this summer.
Jonathan McConnell, director at MAPP, which is overseeing the 16-week Wellbar Central project, said: “As well as advancing the quality of the office accommodation available at Wellbar Central, these improvements are about making the entire space more energy efficient.
“Not only that but with natural light maximised through a floor-to-ceiling window height of 2.7 metres, we have no doubt that staff based in the building will find the working environment offers an enviable level of comfort.”
Wellbar Central is positioned just a short walk from both Monument and Haymarket Metro Stations, as well as the city’s main bus concourse, and close to the amenities and eateries surrounding the even closer St James’ Metro Station, Sandman Signature Hotel, St James’ Park and Newcastle University Business School.
Within the building itself, which was constructed in 2010, there is a Greggs and a Costa Coffee at ground floor level and an on-site management team is on hand to welcome visitors.
Patrick Matheson, partner at Knight Frank, who is marketing Wellbar Central alongside joint letting agent Savills, added: “The market for Grade A office space in Newcastle is very strong, with occupiers actively seeking to upgrade their space, in particular to meet modern expectations in terms of environmental and sustainability credentials.
“As a direct result of this investment, Wellbar Central will be very well-placed to meet these expectations and in doing so, further strengthen the thriving city centre office market in Newcastle.”
