Company lodges building plans for former Vaux brewery site
Plans have been lodged for new city centre office buildings as work progresses on the major regeneration scheme Riverside Sunderland.
The project – which comprises the former Vaux Brewery site and surrounding areas such as Sheepfolds – is expected to create thousands of jobs and a new urban quarter on Wearside.
Now Legal & General, working with developer Landid, has submitted a planning application for two new commercial buildings delivering a total of 200,000sqftofbusinessspace.
The buildings – which are part of Legal & General’s multimillion-pound commitment to Riverside Sunderland, announced last year – would be constructed consecutively, with the first building expected to be completed by summer 2022.
Their planning application alsofollowsarecentannouncement about Legal & General’s £60million commitment to Hillthorn Park in Washington, paving the way for speculative industrial spaces to accelerate the site’s development.
Mike Coplowe, senior development manager at Legal & General, which is also funding the development of a new City HallforSunderland,welcomed the scheme.
“We are thrilled to share plans for two new commercial spaces that will stand proudly alongside The Beam and City Hall on Riverside Sunderland, an exciting new urban quarter
Aerial view of Riverside Sunderland.
that is rapidly developing into an attractive place to live, work and play,” he said.
“The buildings will deliver high-quality workspaces that will attract more businesses to the city, creating jobs and opportunities when they open, as well as during the construction phase.
“It’s a hugely exciting time with so much regeneration going on in Sunderland, and we’re delighted to be part of it – and we’re here as long-term investors in the city, focused on making a difference to the city’s future.
The five and six-storey office spaces – both of which will stand behind City Hall with views across the river – are a key part of Riverside Sunderland, which will also see a new residential community rise from the ground.
Office plans are expected to go before Sunderland City Council’s area Planning and Highways Committee later this year and if approved, work on the first building would start in early 2021.
James Silver, managing director at Landid, said: “These buildings are at the core of transformational plans for Riverside Sunderland, which will be a game-changing new part of Sunderland’s city centre.
“Building attractive, sustainable offices that feature good design will attract businesses,whichbringsmorepeople to the area – and with the arrival of new homes and places to enjoy, that should make for a vibrant, bustling new part of the city centre, stimulating regeneration throughout the heart of the city.”
Cllr Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “There is a real head of steam building on Riverside Sunderland.
“Just weeks after work concluded on The Beam, City Hall began and now we’re looking forward to the next buildings to occupy the site.
“Legal & General’s deal was the single biggest investment deal for Sunderland in decades and their speed in moving forward with their plans is testament to their commitment to this city and a demonstration of the strength of our partnership with them.