Architects have been appointed to steer a project that aims to turn Newcastle’s former General Hospital site into a world leading research centre.
GSSArchitecture - which has worked on a number of projects for Newcastle, Durham and Sunderland universities - has been enlisted by Newcastle University to develop the masterplan for the Campus for Ageing and Vitality in Fenham.
The 29-acre site will encompass a range of uses, allowing for innovation, research and development into healthy ageing to be carried out at one location.
READ MORE: {}
GSSArchitecture will be working closely with the university’s partners, including Newcastle City Council and Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to develop plans that aim to establish the site as the world’s premier centre for healthy ageing and living.
GSS recently designed the Catalyst building on the Newcastle Helix site, which is home to both the National Innovation Centre for Ageing and the National Innovation Centre for Data.
Project partner Jonathan Hunter said: “This site represents a fantastic opportunity for Newcastle to grow its already significant, national reputation as a centre for excellence in ageing, innovation and digital science.
“We aim to develop a masterplan that will support a truly integrated community, focused on the principles of Health, Wealth and Wellbeing in later living and we are delighted to be working with Newcastle University and the City Council in delivering this vision.”
More North East property news
The former General Hospital site was bought by the university last year. Before that, the future of the hospital site had been in question for more than a decade, with the hospitals trust having moved most of its services off the site and plans for a Tesco on the land failing to come to fruition.
Most Read
GSS Architecture recently designed The Catalyst on the Newcastle Helix site, which will is hoped will provide an international test bed for innovation, implementation and evaluation of new technologies and lifestyle approaches for older people.
It has also designed the Centre for Sport, Exercise Sciences, Nutrition and Psychology for Newcastle University, and the student gateway at Sunderland University.