The Stephenson Quarter takes it names from father and son George and Robert Stephenson, founders of Robert Stephenson and Company Works, the site of technological innovations that pioneered rail transport and changed the world. Known as the Father of the Railways, Engineer and Inventor George Stephenson’s legacy is of global significance and we are certain there is no more fitting home for Great British Railways than here, the birthplace of the modern railway.
Overview
The Railyards/The Pattern Shop is the second phase of regeneration within Newcastle’s historical Stephenson Quarter brough forward by Stephenson Works LLP (SWLLP) – a JV partnership between Newcastle City Council and PfP-igloo. As part of a truly mixed-use development, the first phase of the masterplan brought forward the nearby Boiler Shop conversion for music and event space, the Crowne Plaza Hotel, neighbouring new build offices, multi-storey car park on Forth Banks and the University Technical College (UTC).
The second phase will contribute to the existing regeneration via the conversion of Grade II* listed building The Pattern Shop into 30,000 sqft of stunning office space, around 140 new build residential units, over 150,000 sqft of new build Grade A office space and 17,000 sqft of leisure/workshop/art space
Location
The Railyards is located in the heart of Newcastle City Centre, with phenomenal transport links and local amenities.
| Newcastle Central Station | 5 minute walk |
| Newcastle Central Station Metro | 5 minute walk |
| Newcastle Eldon Square Bus Station | 16 minute walk |
| Newcastle International Airport | 16 mins travel by car, 40 mins travel by bus, 37 mins travel by Metro |
| The Coast | 35 mins travel by Metro |
The Railyards showcases the business and lifestyle advantages of being located right up against the East Coast Main Line and the Tyne and Wear Metro, the second largest light rail system in the UK, connecting the site directly to the city’s international airport as well as being seconds from the riverside connection to the nation’s most well-known cycle route.
Character
Due to the deep and rich history of the area, the site is a fascinating blend of stunning heritage buildings and well-designed modern architecture amongst the backdrop of the famous Tyne bridges and Newcastle’s Central Station. The spaces represent almost 200 years of innovation: SWLLP are bringing these heritage buildings back into vibrant use to create a strong identity, sense of place and community unlike any other, to attract businesses and visitors alike. No other site can offer the same quality and amenities as the architecture and spaces at the Stephenson Quarter, with active rooftops, flexible workspace, overnight accommodation on the doorstep and places to meet, eat and unwind.
Sustainability
Sustainability is a key focus for the development, with igloo’s industry-leading Footprint policy engrained into every step, ensuring maximum social and economic impact with minimal environmental impact. Key strategies have been proposed for the site, with sustainability performance measured via Footprint’s six pillars of Wellbeing, Place and Nature, Climate, Circular Economy and Community.
Wider site overview
The Stephenson Quarter is the most high-profile location in the city, every single person who arrives at Newcastle Central Station, or even passes through, will be able to see this development. They will see how the city lives and breathes through glimpsing these buildings.
SWLLP is formed to drive this opportunity and is creating a truly vibrant, mixed-use Quarter, through phased development, building on its existing strengths to accelerate a level of visible vibrancy and density that will create the go-to address for businesses, city-dwellers and re-locators of all kinds.
SWLLP are igniting the Stephenson Quarter as Newcastle’s dynamo of employment, learning, enjoyment and upbeat, city living. The Stephenson Quarter will be an economic generator for the city, drawing on its remarkable heritage of innovation to fulfil its true potential.