The construction of Sunderland’s new City Hall will house Sunderland City Council and a range of public sector partners in a more cost-effective base at the heart of the city centre
Sunderland’s new City Hall will also spearhead the £500m regeneration of the city centre by accelerating the transformation of the city’s former Vaux brewery site and acting as a catalyst for attracting private investment.
It will be a key element of the city centre regeneration which will create jobs and opportunities for local people. It is also part of helping the city deliver its potential as part of a wider £1.5bn programme of investment across Sunderland.
Bowmer + Kirkland, which has its North East regional office in the city, won the contract to build Sunderland’s new City Hall last month.
The project is due for completion in autumn 2021.
The contract will create a number of benefits for local residents and companies as part of the council’s community wealth building programme. This includes full time and apprenticeship opportunities, a £29m spend in local supply chains and £9m investment with local SMEs.
Designed by architects Faulkner Brown, the building will span 190,000 sq ft.
Council Leader, Graeme Miller, said: “City Hall is a real game changer for the regeneration of Sunderland city centre and I’m delighted to see it going ahead.
“Its development is an essential element of our £500m transformation plans to create a dynamic, healthy and vibrant city centre and deliver the step change that we know our residents want to see.
“It’s also a further indication of the real sense of momentum building in Sunderland, with so many new developments either planned or underway and a renewed sense of confidence in the city.”
Paul Anderson, project manager for Bowmer + Kirkland, added: “We have been looking forward to working with Sunderland City Council on this project and it is really good to now be on site, getting the project underway and continuing the regeneration of this area of the city centre.”
When complete, the building is expected to be used by up to 7,000 customers a week allowing the seamless delivery of services to residents by housing a wide range of council and other public services under one roof.
Sunderland’s new City Hall is the second building to be built on the former Vaux brewery site following completion of THE BEAM in June this year which will soon be home to Ocado. This will bring 300 jobs to the city, alongside health and safety training provider Penshaw View.
