Newcastle Building Society new 10,000 sq ft UK ‘super bank’
The grade II listed property in Newcastle city centre is now home to Newcastle Building Societyβs new 10,000 sq ft UK super bank.
The prime location, next to Greyβs Monument, was refurbished in a multi-million-pound project led by Silverstone Building Consultancy.
The branch offers financial services alongside collaboration and free-to-use community spaces for customers, local charities, civic groups, and businesses.
Josh Brown, associate director at Silverstone Building Consultancy, said: “This was an ambitious project which has breathed new life into an iconic building that had been vacant for many years.
“There were challenges along the way, including restricted access, working within listed-building confines and water ingress, but the whole professional team and the client worked cohesively and effectively together to overcome these.
“Weβre incredibly proud of the end result.”
The 200-year-old, six-storey corner unit has been extensively upgraded, including a full-height rear extension housing a new staircase, and significant mechanical and engineering works.
The 11-month programme faced unexpected complications, most notably water ingress on the lower ground floor, which sits beneath Eldon Square shopping centre.
When the existing wall coverings were stripped back, the team found the entire level required waterproofing on both walls and floor to create a fully tanked, impermeable barrier.
Another key part of the refurbishment involved filling large floor cavities left after the removal of a large central stairwell.
The project team included Arcas Building Solutions as lead contractor, Architects Group, interior designer M Worldwide, M&E engineers Clark Degnan, and planning consultants KLR.
Andrew Haigh, chief executive of Newcastle Building Society, said: “Monument is our biggest single branch investment and a huge commitment to our home city.
“It is much more than a branch; itβs a place with the next generation in mind, with free-to-use spaces serving our community and civic partners.
“Iβd like to thank Silverstone for steering this redevelopment forward and helping us realise our ambition of creating a hub that will benefit the whole community.”
Silverstone Building Consultancy, which has offices in Leeds and Newcastle, is a national firm of chartered building surveyors and project managers.
The company has previously managed restoration projects for the Inn Collection Group, including the award-winning Harrogate Inn in Harrogate.