Earlier this year, we were commissioned to design the interior scheme for a new workplace concept in the heart of Newcastle’s city centre. The former Café Royal building on Nelson Street has been acquired by property developer MCM Investments and will be transformed into a brand new hybrid office concept.
Designed for a post-pandemic business world, 8 Nelson Street combines the comfort of working from home with a collaborative social hub, wellness facilities and the high-end interior of a chic boutique hotel.
Unlike traditional offices, the development will be fully fitted-out and features informal working spaces, a fitness studio, lounges with refreshment areas, a private roof terrace, meeting rooms, internal cycle storage and showering facilities, all set across six floors.
Available from Q2 in 2022, 8 Nelson Street will offer a wide range of office sizes, from a single floor (1,144 sq. ft.) to the entire building (8,569 sq. ft.).An extensive renovation of the Grade II listed building is currently underway, with Knight Frank and Sanderson Weatherall having been appointed as joint letting agents.
Douglas Cranston, Investment Director, at MCM Group, which is developing the property, explains: “We have designed a coming-to-work experience like none other available on the North East market right now.
“It is clear that occupiers want to bring their teams together, when needed, in a collaborative, informal, social space with beautiful, inspiring surroundings. The pandemic has significantly changed our working practices, with many businesses making the decision that desk-based, solo work can be done at home whilst collaboration, training, socialising and cultivating a company culture can flourish in the new style hybrid office. Being able to work alongside, and even exercise with your colleagues is great for mental health and increasingly, business leaders are prioritising the wellness of their people.”
Patrick Matheson, Partner at Knight Frank, adds: “This is a fantastic opportunity for an occupier to secure market leading space in a vibrant, thriving and central location in Newcastle city centre, only a minute’s walk from The Monument. The building can be occupied as an impressive HQ office but has been designed with flexibility at its core so it can also be let on a floor-by-floor basis. The fact that an occupier can move straight in and have amuch-reduced capital expenditure in regard to the fit out is a huge advantage.”
Inspired by the Bauhaus Movement, the interior scheme fuses art, craftmanship and functionality. Clean lines, geometric shapes and the use of contemporary artwork throughout are synonymous with the late 19th Century movement. Textures such as leather, grass cloth and velvet feature in muted and earthy tones to form a homely and warm workplace. Exposed ceilings maximise the height on all floors, creating a light and airy environment. Industrial fixtures and fittings bring a modern feel to form a cool, contemporary hub to complement the building’s prime city centre location.
An emphasis on sustainability has been incorporated through the use of reclaimed and vintage furniture throughout the scheme. Natural materials such as wood and cork have also been used to enhance this aspect. On the ground floor, a bespoke feature gallery wall celebrates the building’s grand proportions, forming a welcoming and vibrant entrance. A combination of mid-century style workplace desks and ergonomic task chairs create a comfortable and functional home-from-home work environment. To facilitate both private and collaborative working, reeded partition screens have been installed throughout the building with multiple breakout spaces included to ensure flexible working for all.
Jen Bernard, founder and MD of Bernard Interiors commented, “8 Nelson Street will offer a stylish and unique working environment, combining carefully considered design details with function, comfort and flexibility. The scheme will be a very exciting addition to Newcastle city centre – we’re looking forward to fitting out early next year.”
The CGI’s for this project can be viewed in our portfolio.
