Developer sought for historic collection of buildings in prime North East location

A new owner is sought for a unique collection of historic buildings and land located in the heart of Gateshead's town centre known as the Old Town Hall Quarter.

Located in the historic heart of Gateshead's town centre, just minutes from the centre of Newcastle, Gateshead Old Town Hall and the adjacent Swinburne Street offers an exciting development opportunity, of old and new, close to the multi million pound regeneration sites of Gateshead Quays and Trinity Square.

The municipal heart of Gateshead for some 120 years, the impressive Victorian grade 2-listed Gateshead Old Town Hall previously housed municipal offices, the Council's main debating chamber, a magistrates' court complete with cell block, a police station and police house.  The Council chamber, civic suite and most council offices were relocated to the new Civic Centre in 1987 and was recently home to social and cultural organisations such as the Tyneside Cinema and Sage Gateshead.

Also included in this prominent gateway site are a range of Council-owned Victorian buildings on Swinburne Street, including Swinburne House, which were previously used as a bank, a building society, the borough's first public library and a post office. Additionally there are two public car parks on West Street and Swinburne Street, plus further development land situated on Nelson Street and Swinburne Place. In total 1.73ha (4.28acres) are being marketed for sale.

Gateshead Council Leader, Martin Gannon says: "This is truly an impressive site, containing some of Gateshead's finest buildings and a major asset, not just to our town centre but to the historic culture of the region.

"The word unique is often over used but not in this instance. This site has huge potential mixing old and new, and we are confident a visionary developer will bring new life to this once bustling and historic area, creating new jobs, visitors and opportunities for local people.

"The Council has worked hard over recent years to breathe new life into Gateshead town centre and this site is another step towards its further regeneration.

 "We are very excited to see what the future could hold, though clearly such a prominent site lends itself perfectly to a range of development opportunities."

The site is close to the iconic bridges of the Tyne and offers a wide range of development opportunities including retail, office, hotel, leisure and residential uses. The site would be for part refurbishment, and for part new build with a range of options both in extending the existing structures and in construction entirely new ones subject to planning permission.

Further information about the site can be found at www.oldtownhallquarter.co.uk or by contacting Cushman & Wakefield (0191 223 5717). Potential developers have until June 26 to provide an offer for the site.