TRANSFORMING THE LANDSCAPE
Council’s £100m masterplan for Sunderland riverside reveals ‘stunning’ new office buildings
The latest artistic visions of “stunning plans” to transform Sunderland’s riverside area have been unveiled.
Investor Legal & General and developer Landid have shared detailed CGI impressions for two new office buildings as part of the ongoing Sunderland City Councilled masterplan to bring up to 10,000 new jobs to the city.
The six-storey and five-storey premises would be built to the north of the under-construction City Hall if planning permission is granted.
Work on the first of the buildings would begin early next year and be completed by 2022.
The Riverside Sunderland masterplan also includes 1,000 sustainable homes to rent or buy as well as a new footbridge linking Sunderland football club’s Stadium of Light ground with the city centre.
It is backed by £100m of investment from Legal and General with dn-a architects, a company which has worked on high-profile projects for Warner Bros and Unilever, also heavily involved in the plans for the new offices.
Councillor Graeme Mill-er, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Riverside Sunderland is perhaps the most exciting regeneration project in the UK right now and we’re delighted to have d-na, Legal & General and Landid working alongside us to help bring our ambitions to life.
“When complete, these two buildings will help bring hundreds of highly-skilled jobs to the city and provide a major shot in the arm to the economy in the heart of the city.
"To think it’s been less than 12 months since Legal & General first committed to the site is incredible, when you look at the pace at which developments are accelerating.
"These stunning plans really drive home Legal & General’s commitment to the city and they send out a clear message to the market - Sunderland is very much open for business.”
Mike Coplowe, senior development manager at Legal & General, said: “Riverside Sunderland is a hugely-ambitious development and these plans reflect that, delivering exceptional modern office spaces that we are sure will be attractive to businesses looking for a workplace that is good for the well-being of their team, as well as for the planet.”
The council calculates that Riverside Sunderland will double the city centre’s residents to 5,000 with the plans also including a new library and parkland on both sides of the River Wear.