A planning application for a £70m office development in Newcastle city centre has been formally submitted. The plans at Founders Place, part of the Stephenson Quarter behind Central Station, also include a public square.
Key details of the proposal
Founders Place LLP, a joint venture between developers igloo and Newcastle City Council, has submitted plans for a 12-storey office block designed by RIBA Stirling Prize-winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM). The development is expected to create hundreds of jobs during construction and hundreds more when the offices open.
The block will feature rooftop terraces and a ground floor restaurant or cafe, and aims to recognise the industrial heritage linked to Stephenson's locomotive works that were on the site. The scheme also includes Founders Square, a tree-lined area intended as a meeting place for workers, residents and visitors.
Economic impact and jobs
The developers say the scheme will create around 300 construction jobs plus hundreds more in the supply chain, while the office block will house 1,300 workers and contribute an estimated £80m a year to the local economy.
Joe Broadley, development director at igloo, said: "One Founders Place is about much more than delivering a high quality office scheme - it's about creating a destination that reflects Newcastle's rich industrial heritage while providing the sustainable workplaces and welcoming public spaces that modern cities need to thrive."
He added: "This investment is helping to attract new businesses, support skilled jobs and create a bustling city neighbourhood where people want to work, meet and spend time. By combining exceptional workspace with high quality public realm, we're creating a place that will contribute to Newcastle's long-term economic growth while celebrating the history that makes this location so distinctive."
Market response and wider masterplan
Patrick Matheson, partner at Knight Frank, the appointed letting agent for One Founders Place, said: "Occupiers are increasingly looking for workplaces that help them attract and retain talent, support employee wellbeing and reflect their own sustainability ambitions. One Founders Place responds directly to that demand, combining exceptional connectivity next to Central Station with the highest environmental credentials, flexible floorplates and outstanding public realm."
He continued: "Newcastle continues to attract ambitious businesses, but there remains a limited supply of high-quality Grade A office accommodation. One Founders Place will provide a compelling opportunity for organisations looking to invest in the city and secure space that meets the expectations of today's workforce."
The wider Founders Place masterplan aims to bring together new homes, workplaces, public spaces and the restoration of the site’s internationally important industrial heritage. The Pattern Shop, opened in 2024 and now occupied by Atom Bank, while Orchard Yard will deliver 79 homes across apartments, duplexes and family houses, alongside commercial space within the listed Machine Shop and Smiths Shop. The Coppersmiths Shop, a Grade II-listed former part of the Robert Stephenson & Co. Works, is currently being explored for potential future uses.
