Make way for the Makems!

Nov 16 2007 By The Journal

SUNDERLAND can no longer be regarded as the poor relation to Newcastle. Fighting talk indeed – well so it should be. There is a real buzz around the place these days as various schemes begin to take shape.

As you approach the city via the Wearmouth Bridge the void left by the demolition of Victorian warehouses has now been replaced by the landmark Echo 24 building. This 11-storey development dominates the skyline and offers apartment dwellers panoramic views over the Wear along with two Commercial Units at ground-floor level. Lofthouse and Partners are appointed agents for developers Tolent and Glenrose on these units and negotiations are underway for a Restaurant in Unit 2,with strong interest from various users for the remaining Unit 1 which is available as a whole or offering the possibility for sub-division.

The development of the Limelight Entertainment Quarter and the River Quarter is now well under way offering leisure and entertainment at all levels – with more to come. Long-awaited plans have just commenced on High Street West with the demolishing of the old printing works, the former Thomas Reed & Co, on the corner of Villiers Street/High Street West.

The Sunniside Regeneration has been a great success and the £2m remodelling of the Sunniside Gardens has created open park space with dancing fountains to be much enjoyed by office dwellers and the general public alike. The new café bars and restaurants offer a broad spectrum of tastes and cuisines to a high standard and the mainly pedestrianised access has created a very ‘continental’ ambience. Lofthouse and Partners have been involved in various sales/lettings in this area and have handled a number of refurbishment schemes on behalf of owners.

The cobbled charm of Foyle Street now offers an eclectic mix of residential and commercial occupiers and for many months has been overlooking the transformation of the site of the Manor Hotel into the magnificent Business Arts and Conferencing Centre to be known as ‘thePlace’ – completion is anticipated by summer 2008.

Much is happening on the banks of the river and Lofthouse and Partners were delighted to be appointed as sole agents for Adderstone Group’s £18m Quay West Riverside Business Village. Work is set to commence shortly on the 4.5 acre former Austin & Pickersgill shipyard immediately adjacent to the Queen Alexandra Bridge. The development will comprise a number of office buildings totalling in excess of 100,000 ft2 ranging in sizes from 1141 ft2 (108 m2)to 4250 ft2. (395 m2). This exciting scheme is being funded by Allied Irish Bank.

The strong interest Lofthouse and Partners have had throughout the marketing of North Hylton Enterprise Park has spurred on Otley developers Prospect Estates to successfully complete the final phase of their latest development in Sunderland. North Hylton Enterprise Park is the 15-acre site of the former Federal Mogul engineering works.

The derelict 1960s foundry buildings were acquired and demolished by Prospect Estates to create a mixed-use development which includes national trade-counter suppliers to the construction industry as well as local and regional SME companies.

The development includes offices and light industrial/trade counter units. Occupiers who have already signed up for the scheme include national covenants such as Travis Perkins and Speedy Hire as well as local and regional companies such as Neutronics, Cool Designs, Arch Automation and North East Mobility. Industrial units are available on a freehold and leasehold basis from 2300 ft2 (214 m2) upwards. Prices of industrial units start from £155,000 plus VAT.

For approaching 23 years now Lofthouse and Partners have been proud as Sunderland’s leading Commercial Agents to be part of the of many new and exciting developments in and around the city.