Historic building up for sale and is ‘fantastic opportunity’ for transformation
ONE of Newcastle’s most prominent historic buildings has been put up for sale.
Newcastle City Council is inviting bids for the iconic Keelmen’s Hospital in City Road, which could soon be brought back to life as new housing or a hotel.
The famous building, which has a domed clock tower overlooking the Quayside, dates back to 1701 and is classed as being at risk by Historic England.
The Grade- II* listed site has been empty for years and was most recently used as student accommodation, but began life as an almshouse – built to offer care to sick and ageing keelmen, their widows, and families.
Keelmen worked on keels, large wooden shallow-draught boats, which carried coal from the banks of the Tyne out to waiting ships that were too big to travel up the river.
The 320-year-old building is being put on the market for joint sale with the Men’s Palace next door, which is owned by the Salvation Army, with the hope of a single developer transforming both together – though the council says it is “open minded” about the project and the two sites could be purchased individually.
It has been suggested that the derelict hospital could be turned into a hotel, flats, a residential home, or some kind of community building.
No asking price has been revealed for the landmark, which property agent Sanderson Weatherall described as “ideal for conversion to a high-quality residential with a large communal private courtyard”.
Ged Bell, the council’s cabinet member for employment and culture, said it was “a great opportunity to purchase one of Newcastle’s most significant buildings”.
Coun Bell added: “The Hospital opened in 1701 and was funded by the Keelmen themselves which is quite unusual.
It was originally used as an almshouse for sick and elderly keelmen and their families.
“It was converted into student accommodation but since 2009 has stood empty.
“Efforts to bring it back into use have not been forthcoming so we’ve decided to put it on the market to test developer interest.
“Along with the Men’s Palace next door, it’s a large site with great potential.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for someone with imagination and creativity.”
The 1,600 keelmen of Newcastle decided to build the hospital in 1699, at a total cost of £2,000, and paid for it themselves by giving one penny a tide from the wages of each crew.
A feasibility study to explore future uses for the hospital was launched in 2015 with a £10,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, with an ethical hotel suggested as one option.
And in 2018, a Northumbria University graduate won a national design award for a vision to breathe new life into the building by turning it into a living space that included retirement bungalows, studio workshops, and leisure spaces.
The closing date for bids is April 30, with full details available via Sanderson Weatherall.