Music stars of the future got a huge boost today when multi-million-pound recording studios were given the go-ahead in Newcastle.
The world-class venue on the Quayside is the third major music development in the city this year following on from the MOBO Awards in February and the Mercury Prize Awards last month when the North East’s Sam Fender won the industry’s most coveted prize.
The new state-of-the-art studios will boast a suite of recording studios, editing suites, podcasting studios and collaborative spaces that will cater for local and national talent. The building will provide a major boost for the region’s creative sector, further extend national and international links, and increase capacity in the region for top level recording facilities.
The development builds on years of work led by Generator, the North’s leading music development agency, who have driven a long-term vision to strengthen the region’s creative infrastructure and secure world-class facilities for Northern talent.
The studios will be inside Coronation Buildings, an Edwardian Grade II Listed building built in 1903 for Pyman Bell and Co, shipping, coal and timber merchants. It was partially demolished in 1982 and used as offices until June this year.
The £1.8m conversion and fitting out costs will be met by the North East Combined Authority with support from Newcastle City Council. The applications were approved on Friday 21 November, and submitted by North East Theatre Trust Ltd better known as Live Theatre.
The music hub reflects the North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’s and the council’s intention to develop the lucrative and culturally valuable music sector in the region.
It is also the latest milestone in a wider strategy developed with Generator, whose work with national partners, funders and labels has helped pave the way for major investment in Northern music infrastructure.
Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Karen Kilgour, said: “This is fantastic news. These amazing studios will provide our up-and-coming talent with the very latest music technology to make great music, launch careers and put the city on the map.
“Artists will no longer need to go to Manchester or London for the best facilities, they will have them right here in Newcastle.
“After hosting the Mercury Prize Awards and the MOBOs Newcastle really has burst onto the international music stage. Building these studios on our beautiful quayside will help keep it that way while providing endless opportunities to make dreams come true.”
North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness, said: “Seeing music being recorded on the banks of the Tyne will send a strong message to our artists making music across the region – you can do it here. I’m really excited to see what new talent will follow in the footsteps of homegrown stars like Sting, Jade Thirlwall and Sam Fender.
“This studio forms part of my vision to give the North East the place it deserves on the global music map, and shows we are investing to create real opportunity for new generations of talent.”
Chief executive of Live Theatre, Jacqui Kell, said: “Transforming Coronation Buildings into world-class music, podcast and creative studios is an incredibly exciting step for Live Theatre.
“This development strengthens the cultural and creative hub we’ve been building on the Quayside across our property portfolio and opens the door for new talent to thrive right here in Newcastle.
“We’re proud to play our part in growing the region’s creative economy and ensuring that artists have the space, the tools and the ambition to succeed.”
Chief executive of Generator, Mick Ross, said: “Generator has spent years leading the charge to bring world-class music moments into the region – from the MOBO Awards to bringing the Mercury Prize here for its first-ever year outside London.
“Those landmark moments didn’t happen by accident. They came from strategic partnerships with the City Council, Combined Authority, long-term vision, persistent advocacy and an unshakeable belief in what Northern talent can do on the global stage.
“Today’s announcement builds on that momentum. This is more than a building. It’s a statement of intent: talent from the North no longer needs to leave to succeed. Generator is proud to be driving that future.”
The conversion of the building is underway, and it is hoped it will open in April 2026.
