Ambitious plans to transform an empty office block in North Shields into high-quality homes have been revealed.
North Tyneside Council has completed the purchase of Unicorn House in Suez Street – a large three-storey building which has been vacant for nearly seven years.
The plan is to clear the site to make way for a high-quality, housing-led regeneration scheme complementing the ongoing work at Northumberland Square.
It is part of the council’s emerging North Shields master plan – aimed at transforming the town centre and riverside into an environment where more people choose to live, work and spend their leisure time.
The Unicorn House development will also contribute to the authority’s overarching ‘Ambition for North Tyneside’ strategy, which will shape the borough over the next 15 years and make sure it is fit for the future.
Deputy Mayor of North Tyneside Council Cllr Bruce Pickard said: “We are an ambitious council, which is reflected in our plans for North Shields and the borough as a whole.
“Unicorn House is a former office building in a prominent position which has been empty for some time and has become an eyesore.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to really revitalise and breathe new life into this part of the town, which links the town centre with the riverside, and attract more people to live in the town centre.
“It will also complement our other exciting plans for North Shields and the rest of the borough and help keep North Tyneside a great place to live, work and visit.
“This is an exciting time for North Shields as our master plan begins to take shape – we are working closely with residents, businesses and our partners and will be seeking their views and we’re sure everyone will be really pleased with the proposals.”
Meanwhile, work to transform the landmark Grade II listed terraced property building in Northumberland Square into luxury homes has undergone a complete internal and external refurbishment and is nearing completion.
The sensitive refurbishment of these historic properties has seen the reinstatement of many of the original features, such as ornate cornicing and window details, which contribute to the character of the Conservation Area.
A new build part of the scheme at the rear of the property is also taking shape providing 28 family homes with secure courtyard parking and gardens. Together these will provide new family housing opportunities in the heart of North Shields town centre.
The £5m redevelopment is expected to be complete this summer.
In addition, the square’s cherished Wooden Dolly has been raised from its plinth and transported to the workshop of sculptor Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson in Kilburn, North Yorkshire, where it is being sensitively restored.
Once restored, the dolly will be returned to Northumberland Square.
Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn CBE said: “We have lots of ambitious plans for North Shields and I’m really excited to see them starting to become a reality.”
The ‘An Ambition for North Tyneside’ plan builds on feedback from residents and businesses. The needs of each area are taken into account and are reflected in the plan, which includes a range of projects that will enhance the quality of life and quality of place and attract inward investment.
Unicorn House – designed by Renton Howard Woods Associates of London - opened in 1968 as a purpose-built Government building which housed more than 200 staff from the Inland Revenue and Department of Health and Social Security.
A report in the Shields Weekly News at the time described the three-storey building as “one of a number of industrialised office buildings being put up by the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works for government departments in various parts of the country”.
The first such building in the North East was Lion House in Alnwick, which opened earlier in 1968.
The report adds: “Its main advantage lies in the increased productivity which it provides on site, as well as in the design offices and in the factory.”
North Tyneside Council later moved its social services and customer services departments into the building.
Unicorn House eventually closed after the council’s lease on the building came to an end and its services were moved to the Customer First Centre.