Progress on a major city centre development was recognised on Friday by a Steel Beam Signing Ceremony, some 12 months on from the on-site ground-breaking ceremony at Pilgrim’s Quarter, Newcastle, back in June 2022.
HMRC announced in November 2021 that Newcastle’s Pilgrim’s Quarter, part of the Pilgrim Street development, would become a Government Hub for HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in the North-East.
Part of the Government Hub network, HMRC’s state-of-the-art regional centre will be based at the new development. The regional centre will provide office accommodation for approximately 9,000 HMRC staff. The Newcastle building will be the largest of HMRC’s 14 regional centres, at 463,000square feet (43,000sq m).
Confirmation of their commitment moved a step closer yesterday at a steel beam signing ceremony on the site, attended by representatives from HMRC, Newcastle City Council, developer Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Limited, Bowmer and Kirkland and the project development team.
Following a presentation of the scheme to senior HMRC stakeholders Marc Gill of HMRC and members of staff signed the steel beam, which will form part of this massive city centre redevelopment project.
Chris Turnbull, Avison Young who is project manager on the scheme says. “Considerable progress is now self-evident on site with steelwork erection proceeding at pace, following upon extensive demolition and site development works, The contractor, Bowmer and Kirkland has maintained the build programme whilst dealing with the diversion of a major sewer, extensive façade retention works on the listed Carliol House as well as piling works, adjacent to the Metro line tunnels.”
The building is scheduled to be handed over to HMRC for fit works in Q4 2025.
Marc Gill, HMRC’s senior sponsor for the North East commented.
“It’s great to see the progress being made and today marks a significant milestone in our journey to our new HMRC Regional Centre. Once complete, Pilgrim’s Quarter will provide a great place to work – modern, welcoming and inclusive, a first-class, modern, digitally enabled workspace for HMRC’s largest office – right here in Newcastle.”
“HMRC is extremely proud of its history in the North-East and we look forward to enabling HMRC to continue to provide thousands of high-quality rewarding Government careers in an iconic location in the heart of Newcastle City Centre”
Cllr Alex Hay, Newcastle City Council cabinet member for a Thriving City, said:
“The Pilgrim’s Quarter is a hugely important strategic development for our city and it is exciting to see the rate of progress that is being made.”
“I’m really pleased to see how well it is coming along, and looking forward to what promises to be a spectacular new structure when it’s completed.”
Roger Thornton, Head of Property at Motcomb Estates Ltd says on behalf of Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Ltd:
“The scale of the project is now apparent to all on site as steelwork is progressed on the northern and eastern sections of the site, which will in turn link into the retained Carliol House elevations along Market Street.
“I am in no doubt that bringing 9,000 HMRC employees to Pilgrim’s Quarter will have a massive positive effect on the local economy, whilst increasing the footfall, viability and vitality of Newcastle city centre.”
The Ryder designed new complex will provide 43,000 m2 of new Grade A office space in the heart of the city centre, bringing back footfall which will enhance the vitality and viability of the city’s retail core.
Commercial, Town Planning and Project Management services are being provided by Avison Young with Architectural Design by Ryder Architecture and Engineering input by Cundall. The contractor is Bowmer and Kirkland.
