Capital&Centric set to transform Gateshead’s Old Town Hall

Social impact developers Capital&Centric have confirmed they plan to give Gateshead’s historic Old Town Hall a new lease of life.

Last month it was reported that the Manchester-based developers were planning an expansion to the North East and were in early discussions with Gateshead Council about potential sites.

Now, they’ve signed an agreement to acquire and sensitively repurpose the stunning Grade II listed building into design-led new homes. The only surviving purpose-built town hall in Tyne and Wear, it was once the council headquarters until the chamber, civic suite and council officers were relocated to the new civic centre in 1987.  

The team’s architects are now working up a vision to bring the building back into use, with more to be revealed in the coming months as a planning application is worked up. 

Capital&Centric has built a loyal following by restoring and repurposing some of the UK’s iconic historic buildings, turning them into new homes, work and cultural spaces fit for the 21st Century.

Having already delivered a slew of regeneration projects across the North of England - including in Manchester, Stockport and Sheffield - the Old Town Hall will mark their first foray into the North East.

John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital&Centric said: 

“The Old Town Hall is a local landmark that really stops you in your tracks as you pass by. We want to preserve and celebrate its history, but repurpose it for a new generation to enjoy for decades to come. We’re working up proposals for it to become new homes and can’t wait to share our ideas over the coming months. It makes sense that this building, which served the people of Gateshead for so long, can be reinvented to do so once again.”

Locals may recognise Capital&Centric’s founders Tim Heatley and Adam Higgins as having featured on TV shows such as Channel 4’s Big Interiors Battle and the BBC’s Manctopia. They’ve steadily gained a solid reputation for imaginative reinventions of old buildings and brownfield sites, from Victorian mills to brutalist concrete 60s relics.

Anneliese Hutchinson, Gateshead Council's Interim Strategic Director for Economy, Innovation and Growth, said:

 “We are delighted that Capital&Centric have today confirmed they do want to redevelop this historic building, breathing new life into it by converting it into apartments. They have an exemplary record of accomplishment in developing historic buildings nationwide and we feel privileged they have now chosen Gateshead as their next project.

“The building has latterly been in use by a few social and cultural sector bodies, but it has always been our intention to look at a more permanent solution. This development will be a key part of our town centre regeneration plans and we look forward to working with them on this.” 

Elsewhere, the developer is currently cracking on with a meticulous conversion of Talbot Mill, one of Manchester’s oldest and largest untouched mills, as well as creating a brand new HQ for their team in the city’s Piccadilly East neighbourhood. The team has also just finished repurposing a former cutlery works in Sheffield and have major brownfield projects in Liverpool, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton. They’ve also been appointed by Homes England to lead the delivery of a town centre and around 2000 homes at the Northstowe new town in Cambridge.