In the heart of Newcastle’s Stephenson Quarter, Founders Place is a mixed-use neighbourhood, located on the south side of the city’s central railway station. Originally the location of the workshops and site offices of Robert Stephenson & Company, the first company in the world created specifically to build locomotive steam engines, Founders Place has been named to honour the engineering pioneers whose work put Newcastle firmly on the world’s stage. Now, this crucible of innovation and industry will offer new and restored workspaces for today’s forward-looking businesses.
Building on the rich legacy of innovation on the site, Newcastle City Council in partnership with igloo Regeneration and Thriving Investments (part of the Places for People group) are developing a new mixed used quarter within the historic city core. Founders Place is designed with well-being at the core. It’s not just a place to work, relax, or live, but a seamless blend of all three.
The site includes the iconic Pattern Shop building, a Grade II listed building with a remarkable industrial heritage, restored into an eco-friendly, sustainable commercial centre which contains new facilities yet retains its character thanks to some of the building’s original windows and floorboards being preserved as visible nods to its incredible heritage.
The site will also see the development of a new sustainable office development – The Pioneer, a brand new 100,000sq ft office building. This architecturally stunning building seamlessly blends breathtaking design with a deep commitment to sustainability and employee well-being. As the gateway development to the site, The Pioneer Newcastle is poised to become the city’s next flagship office destination, setting a new standard for work-life integration and environmental responsibility. This planet-positive landmark development is designed by RIBA Stirling Prize winning architectural practice, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, will blend the industrial heritage with climate positive, sustainable and modern design methods.
Size: 10 acres
Gross development value: £137m
Ownership: Founders Place LLP (Newcastle City Council, igloo Regeneration, Thriving Investments).
Uses: Commercial, Residential
Status: Successful completion of the Pattern Shop and early stages for the rest of the scheme.
Opportunity: Commercial occupiers sought for The Pioneer and The Pattern Shop.
