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Refurbishing the Civic Centre, Newcastle

Some 50 years after we first built the Civic Centre in Newcastle, we returned to complete the refurbishment works.

Constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine in 1967, the Civic Centre is a Grade II star listed building located in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Instructed under the Pagabo Framework, the refurbishment works began in 2018 and included the full removal of the existing internal office space back to the original structure in readiness for the fit out for HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS).

The works were carried out under the guidance of the Conservation and Heritage Officers to protect, preserve, and enhance the unique architectural features that needed to be incorporated into the new scheme.

50 years of cabling, ducting and pipework needed to be identified and replaced without cutting supplies to live services in other blocks. The Courts had very stringent requirements such as room dimensions and acoustic ratings that had to be met.

The site remained live throughout the build. We had to keep the Council’s digital print facility operational in the basement while the works went on around it. Special zoning and routing gave us access without disrupting the Council’s business operations. 

We worked closely with the Council and the design team during the second stage to develop a design that truly worked. Rather than simply cutting quality to reduce costs, we have offered well-considered and value-focussed solutions (key elements being the internal partitions, and the building services) to deliver a facility that met all our collective aspirations, and which will be at the centre of the city for another 50 years.

Project summary

    • Client: Newcastle City Council
    • Sector: Commercial
    • Size: £20.5m
    • Location: North East
    • Services: Pre-Construction, McAlpine Design Group, Construction
    • Completion date: 2019

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