Under the direction of Project Manager, Peter Galbraith, the £3.5m project has seen the construction of a major Performing Arts facility and offices in the West Sunniside Conservation area of Sunderland as part of a massive regeneration programme.

Designed by Kevin Brown of Newcastle-based architects, Reid Jubb Brown, thePlace involved the conversion of three existing Grade II houses at 3 Manor Place and 28 & 29 West Sunniside and a new build on the adjoining site of the former Manor Hotel.

Peter Galbraith explained the development, “In reality, it’s been almost two separate projects - the refurbishment and conversion of the listed buildings and the new build on one very tight site, and has been a very interesting and challenging project!"

The initial demolition stages cleared the hotel, which involved contaminated land remediation, and pouring the very intricate foundations for the new build, together with extensive underpinning on the existing houses.

The existing three storey properties were originally built in the 1870’s and have been converted to modern offices which involved strengthening all the floors and opening up the basements in two of the three houses. All the original features of deep skirting boards, cornices and sash windows etc. have been retained or replicated wherever possible.

The key feature of the new build Arts & Conference Centre is the striking Brie Solaire sun shading system to the front of the building - two sets of 42 panels of glass set in a carrier which automatically turns the panels to match the movement of sunlight so that the building always receives the maximum shade. The panels have been designed by a local artist, Kathryn Hodgkinson, who studied at the University of Sunderland to illustrate the history and regeneration of Sunderland, especially the Sunniside area.

Internally, the street level cafe opens up into a huge 20m x 6m atrium, which goes up the three storeys of offices, meeting rooms and exhibition spaces, and then onto the main stage and performance area. The building also features an open roof terrace, zinc roofing and cladding and a rainwater harvesting system and is due to be officially opened in September.

Designed by Newcastle-based architect Tony Scullion, the yet to be named facility will include a 120 cover restaurant, together with a central bar area servicing the different areas of the building. Although only a single storey building, with the exception of a first storey Manager’s Office and staff room, the large roof void above the bar and restaurant gives the impression of a larger building. A feature of the pub will be the extensive external seating areas.

The Sir John Fitzgerald Group currently operate some 26 public houses, in addition to their extensive property portfolio. Phillip Denton, Company Secretary, commented, “The Shiremoor area is really beginning to take off with a huge amount of new homes and new shops, such as Sainsburys, and the recently-opened Metro Station making it easily accessible to both local residents and those traveling. This is the first development on the Business Park, but is already acting as an anchor to new retail businesses coming in.”

The 12 week fast-track fit out programme will involve the refurbishment of the office area and handling the entire M&E package for the internal production area, including provision of power, lighting, compressed air, dust extraction, machinery installation and racking in a £900,000 contract.

Contracts Manager, Ian Howmans, commented, "It’s a very tight programme, but we’re on schedule to complete within the 12 weeks and should hand over on 19 October."

Project designer for the scheme is David Lyster of Rowlands Gill-based Elliott Holmes Johnston, who said, "The new factory is only two years old so structurally still sound, but the internal fit-out is of very high specification, especially in the canteen and offices which feature large glass fronted areas. The programme has been designed to minimise disruption to production and is on target for an October 19 handover."

Alan Crook, Manufacturing Director of Cottam Brush, added, "For a company like ours, that had no experience of such a project we have been very impressed with the work that Kendall Cross have done. We have been especially pleased with the committed attitude of everyone involved and, whilst we have no intention of moving again within the next couple of years, we would certainly consider using KC for any similar projects."

Designed by Kevin Brown of Newcastle-based architects, Reid Jubb Brown, The Place is part conversion of three existing Grade II houses at 3 Manor Place and 28 & 29 West Sunniside and part new build on the adjoining site of the former Manor Hotel.

Peter Galbraith explained the development, "In reality, it’s almost two separate projects - the refurbishment and conversion of the listed buildings and the new build on one very tight site, so it’s going to be an interesting one!"

"So far, we’ve demolished and cleared the hotel, which involved a lot of contaminated land remediation, and poured the very intricate foundations for the new build, together with quite a bit of underpinning on the existing houses."

The existing three storey properties were originally built in the 1870’s and are being converted to modern offices which will involve strengthening all the floors and opening up the basements in two of the the three houses. All the original features of deep skirting boards, cornices and sash windows etc. will be retained or replicated wherever possible.

The key feature of the new build Arts & Conference Centre will be the striking Brie Solaire sun shading system to the front of the building - two sets of 42 panels of glass set in a carrier which automatically turns the panels to match the movement of sunlight so that the building always receives the maximum shade. The panels will be decorated by a local artist to tell the history of the town’s glass and ceramics industries.

Internally, the street level cafe opens up into a huge 20m x 6m atrium, which goes up the three storeys of offices and meeting rooms, and then onto the main stage and performance area. The building will also feature an open roof terrace, zinc roofing and cladding and a rainwater harvesting system and is due to open to the public in April 2008.