The first steps in the £1.2m regeneration of a former Gateshead school have been taken as onsite construction work gets underway.
The green light has been given to ambitious plans that will see the redevelopment of the former 4,000 sq. ft. Marley Hill primary school house on the A692 outside Sunniside, which has been vacant for almost 10 years.
The move will see the old school buildings, which have been at the centre of the community for more than a century, open a new chapter following its conversion into two luxury residential homes as part of wider multi-million pound redevelopment of the entire site including the former playground area.
A number of new two, three and four-bedroomed properties have recently been completed on land to the rear of the school building, while plans for the former Victorian era classrooms are being transformed into modern living accommodation while retaining some of the existing internal finishes.
The two five-bedroomed homes, which are expected to be worth in excess of £600,000 each when finished in 2020, are being designed and project managed by Newcastle architectural technologists and design firm, Ergo Projects.
The move is part of plans by the firm to reinvigorate the former school after it closed in 2010, creating high quality properties that will retain a traditional appearance while offering contemporary luxury living.
Redevelopment will see the installation of a mezzanine floor as many of the former school’s traditional features such as coat pegs and Victorian radiators are retained to enhance the building’s overall appearance and make reference to its past.
Welcoming the news that work has started, Adrian Reay, managing director of Ergo Projects, who has been instrumental in bringing forward the scheme’s plan, said redevelopment ushers in a new phase in the site’s long history.
“As architectural technologists, you always want to work on challenging projects and for clients with ambition. Working with Camfero Homes, we have designed a highly creative development that both respects the site’s heritage and provides an outstanding vision of modern living.
“On the back of a growing client base and an impressive portfolio of work, we are going from strength-to-strength. The opportunity to work for high-profile individuals is always one that we would welcome as a creatively-driven design office.”
Ergo Projects provides technical design and building services and its team is trained in architectural technology, building technical design and construction. The company operates from modern offices in Newcastle upon Tyne. More at http://www.ergoprojects.co.uk/