Government housing agency Homes England has signed a deal with Newcastle City Council to lease office space in the city centre’s new building, The Lumen
The agency currently has a north east base in Gateshead, with the relocation to Newcastle expected to take place later this year.
With several live development sites in the region, Homes England is committed to investing in the area. Schemes include the East Quayside development, which will see almost 300 build-to-rent apartments on the banks of the River Tyne, and Newburn Riverside, where the agency is preparing to submit an outline planning application for up to 1,250 homes later this year.
Homes England is also working in partnership with Newcastle City Council and Places for People Igloo on the continued development of the Ouseburn scheme, where work is currently on site for the next phase of 28 new homes at Lower Steenberg Yard.
The Lumen is located at the heart of Newcastle Helix, a unique partnership between Newcastle City Council, Legal & General and Newcastle University. The 24-acre development brings together industry leaders, businesses and top researchers into an internationally renowned innovation cluster. It is an exemplar of sustainable urban development which combines prestigious commercial and residential space with first-class research and education facilities. Newcastle Helix comprises £350 million of capital development and aims to host 4,000 jobs, 500,000 square foot of office space and more than 500 homes once complete.
Homes England’s new 19,316 square foot office space will have capacity for up to 300 staff and demonstrates the agency’s commitment to be a significant employer in the north east region and contributing to the government’s levelling-up agenda. Fit-out works are due to complete in the Autumn, creating an agile and collaborative office space designed for the future. Homes England has been represented in negotiations by property agent Avison Young.
Simon Dudley, Interim Chair of Homes England, said:
Councillor Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture at Newcastle City Council, said:
Tony Wordsworth, Director of Offices at Avison Young, said:
Gordon Aitchison, Director of Investment and Development at LGIM Real Assets, said: