Demolition for eyesore office block in Gateshead
A long-standing, eyesore office block in Gateshead is surplus to requirements and is now being demolished.
Tyne Bridge Tower (pictured) is a 1960’s, 13-storey office block that has stood empty for nearly 6 years. The unattractive, concrete tower is considered as being a blot on the landscape and stands in the way of a proposed £10m commercial, regeneration scheme.
The office block has been the subject of various proposals in recent years with developers interested in converting the building into apartments. However, a £500,000 demolition programme has now started with workers now stripping the inside of the building. The offices were last occupied by the Inland Revenue.
Regional development agency One North East purchased the building from UK Land Estates for £4m as the building sits within the proposed expansion of the Baltic Business Quarter. There are no current plans to construct a new building however, and the site is to be landscaped as part of the 7-month demolition works. Longer term the agency expects the site will be used for a speculative, mixed-use development.
The Baltic Business Quarter encompasses an area of some 21-hectares and office buildings offering 1.5m sq ft of floor space are envisaged. An expansion of the Gateshead Quays area is anticipated, especially in the creative sector. Councillor Martin Gannon said: “This area is at the heart of Gateshead’s expanding Creative Quarter and its removal will not only rid us of one of the last remaining blots on this area’s skyline, it will also provide space for future development”.
Due to the office block being in close proximity to neighbouring buildings, explosives cannot be used to bring down the building.
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