Leanne leads the way in £27m development
A senior appointment is set to drive Sunderland’s new cutting-edge culture hub, as the city’s regeneration gathers pace.
LeanneLittlewoodwilllead plans for the new £27million Culture House visitor attraction overlooking Keel Square.
Thenewdirectorhasjoined Sunderland City Council from Middlesbrough Council where sheheldtheroleofheadofCulture.
Now she will devise plans for Culture House, which is expectedtoopeninearly2025.
The venue – backed by Future High Streets Funding – will offer an immersive, dynamic, digitally-powered visitorexperiencethatwillinspire andentertainpeopleofallages.
Though detailed plans for Culture House are yet to be drawn up, the ambition is that the new venue will be a space for the whole community to enjoy.
Leanne said: “Culture is front and centre of Sunderland’s ambitious plans for the regenerationofthecitycentre, and the development of this magnificent building – which willbeanassettocommunities acrossthecity–presentsaonce in a generation opportunity to create a space that will inspire residents and visitors.
“As someone from the region, I have watched the transformation of Sunderland from the outside over the last few years, and there’s a sense that this is a place that is on a huge journey of change and that’s so exciting to now be part of.
"I am thrilled to be able to takethevisionforwardandcreate a space that all of our communitiesandvisitorsalikewill enjoy for years to come.”
The former Corner Flag pub and connected buildings in High Street West have been cleared by MGL Demolition and a contractor is expected to be appointed over the next few weeks to begin constructing the new venue.
Sunderlandhashistorically beenaplaceofinnovation,and that skill and fortitude continues today. Culture House will build on that, providing a space for new innovators and dreamers to be nurtured and inspired. The venue will embrace the principles of Arts Council England’s Lets Create strategy by developing a programme that is dynamic, ambitious, inclusive and environmentally responsible.
CouncilleaderCllrGraeme Millersaid:“CultureHousewill bethejewelinthecrownofthe Riverside Sunderland development, a fantastic place for residents and visitors to enjoy. Leanne’s experience and passion will help us drive this forward.
“We have had tremendous feedback from residents and community groups on our plans for Culture House, so it’s brilliant that we’re taking this major step forward to deliver this significant addition to the city centre.”
Culture House will use the latesttechnologytoinspirecuriosity, creativity and connectionamongthe500,000people who visit each and every year.
It will include immersive digital spaces that will enable stories to be told in exciting new ways, a Food Lab, to explore new and different foods; a library where ideas come to life through digital technology, and stories explode into real life through play; plenty of spaces for community groups; and creative spaces to encourage making and learning through play and activity.
The building has been designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects and is part of a programme of development projects in the Riverside area.