Construction company Bowmer + Kirkland has started the £42m contract to create Sunderland’s new city hall.
The firm, which has its North East regional office at Rainton Bridge Business Park, has officially started work on site for the creation of the 190,000sq ft new building, which will be more than twice the size of The Beam once completed.
The new building at the former Vaux brewery site will house the authority alongside a range of public sector partners, including Gentoo and the DWP. The project represents a key element of the £500m city centre vision to transform Sunderland city centre.
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It is hoped that it will also act as a catalyst for attracting private investment, more details of which are due to be announced this week.
Bowmer + Kirkland, which won the contract following a competitive tender, is due to finish construction in autumn 2021.
The company said it will create a number of full-time and apprenticeship opportunities for local residents on the scheme, which represents a commitment of £29m to be spent in local supply chains and £9m with local SMEs.
Council leader Coun Graeme Miller, said: “City Hall is a real game changer for the regeneration of Sunderland city centre and I’m delighted to see it going ahead.
“Its development is an essential element of our £500m transformation plans to create a dynamic, healthy and vibrant city centre and deliver the step change that we know our residents want to see.
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“It’s also a further indication of the real sense of momentum building in Sunderland, with so many new developments either planned or under way and a renewed sense of confidence in the city.”
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Paul Anderson, project manager for Bowmer + Kirkland, added: “We have been looking forward to working with Sunderland City Council on this project and it is really good to now be on site, getting the project under way and continuing the regeneration of this area of the city centre.”
City Hall is the second building to be built at the regeneration site, following the completion of The Beam, which will soon become the North East base for online grocer Ocado and safety training provider Penshaw View.