Gateshead Council has this week broken ground on a 50,000 sq ft Grade-A office development in Gateshead.
Riga, a new £13m workspace, is part of the Baltic Quarter site located next to the iconic Gateshead Quays. It will be the first Grade-A office building delivered to the Gateshead Quays area for around 10 years.
Conceived in response to demand for more high-quality workspace in Gateshead, Riga will provide Grade-A offices designed to support the growth of companies in the region. The building contributes to Gateshead Council’s wider ambition to establish the Baltic Quarter as the new ‘innovation district’ in Newcastle Gateshead’s Urban Core.
Rising to a height of six storeys, and in a prominent position above Gateshead Quays, Riga’s distinct glass façade offers panoramic views across the Tyne, considered to be one of the best views in the region. Internally, the loft-like spaces will have a light and airy feel, using exposed materials such as aluminium and steel, and efficient floor plates – letting occupiers personalise their interior design.
Cllr Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, said: “Baltic Quarter is integral to the continuing development of the wider Quays area and the vibrant waterside regeneration programme, creating an urban destination for business, living, learning and tourism. This new office block is urban in character and well-connected to Gateshead town centre, the Quays, the River Tyne and Newcastle city centre. It’s an attractive option for growing businesses and could bring around 600 new jobs to Gateshead.”
The building, designed by Ryder Architecture, is being offered for lease by BNP Paribas Real Estate, while the project is being constructed by Willmott Dixon and will complete in February 2020.
Aidan Baker, Director at BNP Paribas Real Estate, commented: “It is incredibly exciting that work is now underway to bring Riga to life, particularly at a time when high-quality available office space Newcastle and Gateshead is in high demand with limited availability. The location is ideal for enterprising businesses looking to be at the heart of what is expected to be the new ‘innovation district’ and we are confident that it will assist in bringing together a coherent and successful mix of high-quality occupiers at Gateshead Quays.”
