Plans by developers Adderstone Group to turn a former Tyneside nightclub into plush offices have been revealed.
The Newcastle property firm last year snapped up Baja Beach Club, the Gateshead night spot once famed for hosting some of the most fun and cheesy nights out in the North East.
The club closed down 11 years ago and had lain empty ever since, with workmen finding the empty dance floor, bar areas and beach cafe frozen in time when they went back into the building to begin stripping it back.
When Adderstone Group bought the building last summer, chief executive Ian Baggett said: “Older members of our team are very excited about the prospect of bringing the world-famous Baja Beach Club back to life, albeit the dancing is more likely to be around photocopiers than the surf bar.”
The business, which recently moved its headquarters into The Fleming building in Jesmond, Newcastle, is now working with Newcastle-based Ryder Architecture, which has produced new images which show how the nightclub would be transformed into offices, called Pipewell Studios.
The drawings are among documents submitted to Gateshead Council, which seek to change the use of the building for office use.
Documents submitted by Ryder Architecture say: “The proposal seeks to establish premium workplace accommodation that will promote and support the developing business community and redevelopment of the industrial riverside landscape.
“The proposals positively respond to the social, geographical and historic relationships of the surrounding area.
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“Pipewell Studios offers a distinctive opportunity to provide a landmark development within the Tyne Gorge riverside that will contribute to the continuing redevelopment of industrial quayside linking this part of the river with other key developments.
“Panoramic views across the river to Newcastle create interesting and ever changing vistas with rich architectural features, from the quayside up to the city centre horizon. The three bridges, High Level, Swing and New Tyne – create major thoroughfares to Gateshead and Newcastle both by road and rail and add to the strong sense of place of the east. The Sage Gateshead, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Baltic the Centre for Contemporary Art add to the dynamic, panoramic views across the river.”