A historic Newcastle building that has lain empty for nearly 15 years is set to be transformed into affordable housing following a £36,539 grant from The Architectural Heritage Fund. The Grade II-listed Keelmen's Hospital on City Road, which is on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, will be restored to provide 20 one or two-person flats.
The funding will support conversion plans that include potential for co-housing, specialist care support, and sheltered housing. The project follows a feasibility study commissioned by Newcastle City Council and Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust, with support from Historic England.
Built in 1701, the Keelmen's Hospital originally served as an almshouse for retired and sick keelmen—workers who operated flat-bottomed boats carrying coal from the River Tyne—and their families for 180 years. The building later served as council housing and student accommodation before being vacated in 2009.
Martin Hulse, manager of Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust, described it as "the most significant 'At Risk' building in Newcastle" and said the proposal to revert it to affordable housing is "appropriate and achievable." Matthew Mckeague, CEO of The Architectural Heritage Fund, said the project exemplifies how historic buildings can be given new life while improving high streets.
The funding comes via an extension of the Transforming Places through Heritage programme, supported by Historic England and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Maria Carballeira of Historic England noted the project shows how historic building reuse can provide affordable housing while contributing to net zero goals.
