International developer Lendlease has scooped the contract to create Gateshead’s £150m international conference centre.
Lendlease has been appointed by Gateshead Council’s development partner Ask:Patrizia to deliver The Sage International Conference Centre at Gateshead Quays, with construction set to start this year.
The announcement comes after planners approved revised plans for the 661,000sqft riverside scheme. The design amendments included the relocation of a 344-room hotel to an adjacent site, as well as the addition of an urban park to use the remaining space, which will create a pedestrian link from the Gateshead Millennium Bridge up to Hawks Road.
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Enabling works have been taking place over the last two years and Lendlease, which has its European headquarters in London, plans to make a start on site later this year. The £150m Sage International Conference Centre will be delivered in the first phase of the scheme, which will include a 61,000sqft exhibition space, 27,000sqft of adaptable meeting space, 17 conference rooms and a banqueting suite. The first phase will also include the hotel and urban park.
Once complete, The Sage International Conference Centre will be operated by ASM Global. Lendlease has delivered a number of convention, event and entertainment facilities in the 海角视频 and around the world, including the SSE Hydro - now the OVO Hydro - in Glasgow and the International Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia.
David Cadiot, executive general manager of 海角视频 regions for Lendlease, said: “Lendlease has a track record of building, designing and project managing some of the world’s greatest sporting and entertainment venues. We’ll bring the know how to create an exceptional venue, one which local people will be hugely proud to have on their doorstep.”
John Hughes, managing director of Ask Real Estate, said: “We’re really pleased to have partnered with Lendlease to bring forward the first phase of The Sage International Conference Centre and The Sage Arena scheme and look forward to seeing this superb facility emerge on the Gateshead waterfront. Lendlease has significant experience in delivering large-scale, complex schemes and we’re determined to realise the partnership’s vision for The Sage International Conference Centre and deliver this transformational and ambitious development for the region.”
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Peter Udall, strategic director for economy, innovation and growth at Gateshead Council, added: “Lendlease is committed to delivering new jobs, skills and sustainability initiatives on every project - all of which are critical success factors of regeneration in Gateshead. We’re looking forward to working with Lendlease to bring The Sage International Conference Centre and all its wider benefits to Gateshead and the region.”
Russell WBHO has been appointed as contractor on the £48m hotel building, which will be operated by Accor under its Novotel and ibis brands. The delivery of The Sage International Conference Centre will be followed by The Sage Arena which will also be operated by ASM Global and which will be completed under a separate construction contract.
In 2021 the scheme secured a naming rights partnership with Tyneside software giant Sage plc and in January this year the scheme was awarded £20m from central government’s Levelling Up Fund Round 2. Designed by HOK Architects the project team also includes planning consultants Lichfields, engineers Cundall, QS Core Five, Planit-IE, Crowd Dynamics, Vectos and MEP consultants Desco.