Plans have been submitted for a new 12-storey office building in Newcastle’s Stephenson Quarter, a key area targeted for regeneration in the city center. The proposed development, One Founders Place, is backed by Founders Place LLP, a joint venture between Newcastle City Council and developer PfP-igloo. The application was lodged with Newcastle City Council following initial design announcements earlier this year.
One Founders Place is intended to serve as a major mixed-use development, primarily focused on office space but also including hotel, residential, leisure, and ancillary uses. The developers and council describe the project as a potential catalyst for broader transformation across the wider Stephenson Quarter area, including the Forth Yards district to the west.
Situated behind Newcastle Central Station, the Stephenson Quarter holds historical significance as the former site of the locomotive works founded by George and Robert Stephenson. Despite its potential, the area’s regeneration has faced numerous obstacles over the past several years, including delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of contractor Tolent.
Currently, the district is home to several key facilities, such as the Crowne Plaza Hotel—recently placed under council control after its previous owner entered administration—and the refurbished Pattern Shop now housing Atom Bank. Plans have also been proposed to create new residential units in the nearby Orchard Yard neighborhood.
According to the planning application prepared by Avison Young, the 12-storey building will exceed the height of the originally proposed design by two floors. While the taller structure is expected to cause some limited visual impact on views of the Tyneside skyline, the developers emphasize that these effects are minor and outweighed by the public benefits offered by the scheme. These benefits include the creation of new employment opportunities, publicly accessible open spaces, and initiatives to commemorate and interpret the area’s industrial heritage.
The regeneration project itself has experienced a complex history. Clouston Group was initially selected as the council’s partner for the wider Stephenson Quarter redevelopment but was removed from the scheme in 2018. The partnership with PfP-igloo was subsequently formed to continue the project’s progress.
Submission of the planning application marks the latest step in advancing the vision for the Stephenson Quarter, with stakeholders hopeful that One Founders Place will stimulate further investment and development in this longstanding regeneration zone.