Legal & general has submitted a planning application for the firstof two Grade a offices designed by Ryder Architecture
Impressive drawings have been released for the first time showing how Grade A offices that woill look as part of a £65m development at Newcastle's Science Central.
The scheme to build grade A offices at the former brewery, which will ultimately create hundreds of jobs and has taken a leap forward after Legal & General announced it has submitted a planning application for the first two planned office buildings at Science Central.
Lastt year, it was announced that Legal & General Capital would provide the funding for developments at the £350m redevelopment of the former brewery site, and the transaction was completed with the partners in the scheme - Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University - in December.
Designed by international design practice, Ryder Architecture, the 100,000 sq ft office building will create modern workspace for more than 1,200 people in the science technology and knowledge sectors.
Set to create over 4,000 jobs, 500,000 sq ft of office and research space and 450 new homes, Newcastle Science Central is one of the biggest urban regeneration projects of its kind in the UK that was covering a huge 24 acre site - once used as the Newcastle Brown Ale Brewery.
Ryder Architecture - based in Newcastle with offices across the globe - has released images of their designs for the first office, which will be clad in steel and glass in a mod to the region's steel manufacturing and ship building heritage. Earthy copper tones will also link to the history of the site.
Vehicle access, disabled parking and drop off points will be included in the neighbouring public realm and the building will also have a double height reception space and a cafe.
Rachel Dickie, urban regeneration investment manager at Legal & General Capital, said: "This is an important step forward for this exciting city centre regeneration project, giving further visualisation to the quality and vibrancy of the urban landscape that will be created here at Newcastle Science Central in collaborative partnership with the council and the university.
"Working with leading architect, Ryder, it was important to us all that the design of this building pays homage to Newcastle's rich history, while also embracing and supporting its technology savvy future. If planning is successful, we hope to be able to be on site by January 2018."
Richard Wise who is a partner at Ryder, said: "the application for planning approval for Plot 1 marks a significant milestone in the development of Newcastle Science Central.
"It is a clear signal of the intent and ambitions of Legal and General and the Science Central LLP. It represents the first significant trancheof private sector investment into what to date has been a predominantlyfunded development.
"Ryder is delighted to be the lead consultant for the project enjoying a strong relationship with the client team and the wider Newcastl Science Central stakeholders. We took forward to delivering the next stages of the project."
Newcastle City Council will manage and operate the building when complete.
This first office is due to be followed by a second, adding a further 100,000 sq ft to the site
The two office buildings, along with The Core - a 27,000 sq ft space for start-ups and SMEs - will form the gateway to Science Central.
The area between the three buildings will also be transformed into a public square, improving accessibility to the site and providing a significant amenity for office workers, visitors and the surrounding community.