Newcastle landmark building over time
ANOTHER corner of Newcastle that will be familiar to so many of us...
The site was home to the city’s fire station, police station and magistrates’ court until vacated in the mid-2000s.
Our older image shows the building on the corner of Pilgrim and Market Streets around the time of its opening in 1933.
It replaced the old Victorian courts and police station which stood on the corner of Pilgrim Street and Worswick Street.
This Market Street section of the building housed the police station and courts. The fire station, on Pilgrim Street, had space for seven fire engines.
The Roman numerals above the entrance show the date 1931 which was when building work began. The landmark building was set off with Portland stone columns.
Look up at the white stone and you will notice four carvings of winged beasts, griffins, on the colonnades of the upper floors.
The official programme for the opening of the building read: “The mythical animal with the body of a lion, conventional wings and the head of an eagle, suggests the attributes of power, watchfulness and swiftness to act, qualities equally appropriate to the operation of the law as to the duties of the fire brigade.’
Note the overhead tram wires. The tram system would be replaced by trolley buses in the next year or two.
Today, this whole area of Pilgrim Street is part of a planned office and leisure scheme which would create an impressive gateway into Newcastle city centre.
The scheme is being driven by Taras Properties, which is owned by billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben.
In July this year, the Chronicle reported: “The Reuben brothers’ Motcomb Estates firm is also searching for a leisure partner to develop the old fire station block.
“The company plans to invest in stripping back the Grade II-listed buildings to create a shell with 100,000sqft of space which could include a 60-70 bed boutique hotel, plus 25,000sqft of space for “food and beverage” – the equivalent of three or four restaurants. A rooftop bar and restaurant could also be developed.”
Here’s hoping...