Regent Centre

{{for|the transport interchange|Regent Centre Interchange}} [[File:Regent Centre logo.png|thumb|Regent Centre logo]]

'''Regent Centre''' is a large [[business park]] and residential complex in [[Gosforth]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], [[England]]. The business park is home to a variety of companies, including [[Nationwide Building Society]] whose predecessors Virgin Money and Northern Rock had their head office on the site. The centre has its own [[Regent Centre Interchange|transport interchange]] with a station on the [[Tyne & Wear Metro]] and integrated [[bus stop|bus station]].

== History == [[File:Regent Centre2.JPG|thumb|Some of the Regent Centre buildings]] North British Properties started to build Regent Centre in 1970 and finished in 1981; at completion it was the largest office complex in Europe, covering a total area of {{convert|11|acre}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mayfieldproperty.co.uk/public/docs/regent_centre.htm |title=Regent Centre |publisher=Mayfield Property |accessdate=2008-10-09 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610055623/http://www.mayfieldproperty.co.uk/public/docs/regent_centre.htm |archivedate=June 10, 2007 }}</ref> The land is the former site of the Regent Pit of the [[Coxlodge]] [[Colliery]]. The centre unveiled a new logo and identity in late 2008; the centre's slogan is "Better for Business".

The current owner-developer is Omnia Offices who bought the complex in 2015 and are converting some of the office space into residential apartments.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/regent-centre-office-scheme-newcastle-8957358 |title=Regent Centre office scheme in Newcastle could be turned into 400 homes |publisher=The Journal |date=31 March 2015 |accessdate=6 May 2019 |archive-date=15 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815061352/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/regent-centre-office-scheme-newcastle-8957358 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The previous owner was [[Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate]] who purchased it along with the rest of the Fordgate Group's Jupiter Portfolio in June 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kennedywilsoneuropeplc.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=252755&p=irol-fordgate |title=Jupiter Portfolio |publisher=[[Kennedy Wilson Europe Real Estate]] |accessdate=3 September 2014 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/commercial-property/regent-centre-office-complex-gosforth-7707813 |title=Regent Centre office complex in Gosforth acquired as part of £296m deal |publisher=The Journal |date=2 September 2014 |accessdate=3 September 2014 |archive-date=4 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904013558/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/commercial-property/regent-centre-office-complex-gosforth-7707813 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Occupants == [[Nationwide Building Society]] and [[London North Eastern Railway|LNER]] have offices in the Regent Centre. Former tenants of the Regent Centre are [[HM Revenue & Customs]] as well as the [[Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency]], [[Health & Safety Executive]] and the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-116779568 |title=Labour move fuels speculation of poll |publisher=The Journal |date=2004-05-19 |accessdate=2008-10-09}}. Other tenants include IAM Property (and its subsidiary, IAM Sold),</ref> In addition, [[The Sage Group]], [[Northern Engineering Industries]], [[Cundall Johnston and Partners|Cundall]]<ref>{{cite web |title=The Newcastle office has moved |url=https://cundall.com/News/The-Newcastle-office-has-moved.aspx |website=Cundall |date=3 May 2016 |accessdate=11 May 2019 |archive-date=11 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511214437/https://cundall.com/News/The-Newcastle-office-has-moved.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> and [[AMEC]]<ref>{{cite web |title=New owner for former HMRC building in Gosforth |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-east/new-owner-for-former-hmrc-building-in-gosforth |website=Insider Media |access-date=12 May 2024}}</ref> all had offices at the Regent Centre. The Newcastle regional centre for the [[Open University]] was housed here, although it was relocated to [[Gateshead]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/technology-news/2008/10/02/network-equal-of-best-in-world-51140-21943992/ |title=Network equal of best in world |publisher=The Journal |date=2008-10-02 |accessdate=2008-10-09}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

There is also a hair salon/coffee shop as well as a gym and physiotherapy specialist. Previously there had been a branch of [[Barclays]] Bank located in the Regent Centre buildings.

== Location == Within walking distance of Regent Centre, there is [[Regent Centre Interchange]], [[Gosforth Academy]], Gosforth Library and Customer Service Centre, and the Gosforth Leisure Centre which comprises several amenities including swimming pools and gym. There is also an [[Asda]] superstore close by, which in mid 2007 had an extension built which houses a restaurant. Across from Asda there is a [[Marks & Spencer]] food store; that site used to house a furniture store, and had previously been a [[Jaguar Cars]] showroom. Gosforth High Street is also within a few minutes' walk. St Charles' Primary school is located on Regent Farm Road, across from the Virgin Money buildings, between Regent Centre and a housing estate, Regent Farm Estate.

== Regent Point == [[File:Regent Point logo.png|thumb|Regent Point logo]] [[File:Regent Point Construction October 2008.jpg|thumb|Regent Point during construction in October 2008]] Planning applications were granted to expand and modernise a large section of the Regent Centre site, which is adjacent to the [[Tyne & Wear Metro|Metro]] line. In April 2007, work began on this area of land which is also called ''Regent Point'';<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-166518171.html |title=Location that has stayed well ahead of the game; commercial property: focus on regent centre Work has started on the 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m2) Regent Point office building at the Regent Centre, Gosforth. Joint agents Paul Nicholson and Tim Evans look at the background to Gosforth's Regent Centre, one of the region's largest and most successful business locations |publisher=The Journal |date=2007-06-02 |accessdate=2008-12-19}}{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> building work began in early 2008 on the {{convert|100000|sqft|m2|abbr=on}} building.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-176036497.html |title=Gosforth developers make their Point; commercial property |publisher=The Journal |date=2008-03-05 |accessdate=2008-12-19}}</ref> It is a four-storey office building with a glazed corner tower and modelled to be similar to the existing Regent Centre buildings.

Clayton House, which occupied the Regent Point plot, was demolished in 1999 and so the plot was vacant for many years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2006/02/15/traffic-fears-halt-office-bid-72703-16705957/ |title=Traffic fears halt office bid |publisher=The Evening Chronicle |date=2006-02-16 |accessdate=2008-12-19}}</ref> There have been many different accepted plans for this site, including plans for a 5-storey building in 1998. In 2004 there were plans for a 7-storey building with retail space on the ground floor, however, these plans were withdrawn in July 2005.

Developer Fordgate Group appointed [[Bowmer & Kirkland]] as the main contractor for Regent Point. The architects were Howarth Litchfield Partnership, the consulting engineers were [[Cundall Johnston and Partners|Cundall]], and Home Stretch Properties Ltd. were also involved in the project. Caunton Engineering Ltd supplied and erected over 600 tonnes of beam and column structural steelwork.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.caunton.co.uk/news.aspx?id=226 |title=Regent Point – makes Newcastle Commercial Centre a million |publisher=Caunton Engineering |date=2008-12-04 |accessdate=2008-12-19}}</ref> The building has a BREEAM rating of "Excellent".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bandk.co.uk/info-centre/achievements/breeam/ |title=BREEAM Awards |publisher=Bowmer and Kirkland |accessdate=2008-12-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511213134/http://www.bandk.co.uk/info-centre/achievements/breeam/ |archivedate=2008-05-11 }}</ref>

In November 2013, Regent Point was purchased by the [[National Health Service (England)|Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust]], represented by GVA, for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/newcastle-upon-tyne-hospitals-nhs-6349033 |title=Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust buys landmark Gosforth building |publisher=The Journal |date=28 November 2013 |accessdate=28 November 2013 |archive-date=30 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130082749/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/newcastle-upon-tyne-hospitals-nhs-6349033 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Nationwide Building Society == {{see also|Partnership House}} [[File:Northern Rock Tower - 1 October 2008.jpg|thumb|During the final stages of construction of the [[Partnership House]] building (October 2008).]] Nationwide Building Society's [[Virgin Money UK|Virgin Money]] brand has its headquarters in Jubilee House which is adjacent to, although not part of, Regent Centre. The Red Box Design Group were involved with the development of all of the (currently standing) buildings for the bank.

The focal point of Regent Centre since 1965<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/4023995.stm |title=Bank unveils tower revamp plans |publisher=BBC News |date=2004-11-18 |access-date=2008-03-31}}</ref> had been Northern Rock's old 7-storey building. In early 2006 this building was demolished<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thompsonsofprudhoe.com/N11-NORTHERN-ROCK-UPDATE.html |publisher=Thompsons of Prudhoe |title=Northern Rock Update |accessdate=2008-03-31 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331221722/http://www.thompsonsofprudhoe.com/N11-NORTHERN-ROCK-UPDATE.html |archivedate=2008-03-31 }}</ref> and its replacement, known as [[Partnership House]], which is 10 storeys high and cost £35 million, was completed in November 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redboxdesign.com/news.php?id=69 |title=Tower becomes cornerstone of campus |publisher=Red Box Design Group |date=2008-11-28 |accessdate=2008-12-19 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203213500/http://www.redboxdesign.com/news.php?id=69 |archivedate=February 3, 2009 }}</ref> Two of Northern Rock's other buildings on the site were completed in the 1990s; two further buildings were built in the early 2000s. The 1960s tower building also housed a branch of the Northern Rock bank.

Northern Rock had financial difficulties in 2007 due to the [[subprime mortgage crisis]] and was nationalised in 2008. This led to the company deciding to downsize, including job cuts and deciding to put this new tower building up for let or sale.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://companyinfo.northernrock.co.uk/corporateRelations/news/article.asp?newsID=197 |title=Northern Rock redundancy consultation ends |publisher=Northern Rock |date=2008-08-29 |accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref> [[Newcastle City Council]] spent £22 million purchasing the building, and let it out to another firm, a company set up by the council with support services firm [[Carillion]], on a 25-year lease.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.propertyweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=297&storycode=3138828&c=1 |title=Newcastle Council spends £22m on Northern Rock’s Tower |publisher=[[Property Week]] |date=2009-04-22 |accessdate=2009-04-22}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/04/22/newcastle-city-council-look-set-to-buy-northern-rock-tower-61634-23440212/ |title=2,300 jobs for Northern Rock tower as Newcastle Council agrees deal |publisher=The Journal |date=2009-04-22 |accessdate=2009-04-22 |archive-date=2012-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223051905/http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2009/04/22/newcastle-city-council-look-set-to-buy-northern-rock-tower-61634-23440212/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> After Carillion's collapse in 2017, law firm [[Clifford Chance]] acquired the lease on [[Partnership House]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/carillions-former-newcastle-office-set-15629554|title=Carillion's former Newcastle office set for expansion with new hires|publisher=Chronicle Live|date=2019-01-04|accessdate=2019-07-06}}</ref>

In November 2011 [[Virgin Money UK|Virgin Money]] agreed to purchase Northern Rock from the British Government. The deal was finalised on 1 January 2012. As of 12 October 2012 Northern Rock was rebranded to Virgin Money, and these buildings became Virgin Money's headquarters for their savings and mortgages business. Northern Rock House was renamed Jubilee House as part of the rebranding exercise. Nationwide acquired Virgin Money including its [[Clydesdale Bank]] operating subsidiary in October 2024.

== Buildings == [[File:Regent Centre3.jpg|thumb|One of the Regent Centre buildings]] With the new developments, as of March 2009, there is empty office space to let.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://commercialsearch.knightfrank.co.uk/property/display/33026 |title=Regent Point property details |publisher=Knight Frank |accessdate=2008-10-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://commercialsearch.knightfrank.co.uk/property/display/33027 |title=Regent Centre property details |publisher=Knight Frank |accessdate=2008-10-06}}</ref> There is space available in Regent Point, Horsley House North, Dobson House and Eldon House West.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.regentcentreoffices.co.uk/availableofficespace.html |title=Available space |publisher=Regent Centre |accessdate=2009-03-03 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091103104946/http://www.regentcentreoffices.co.uk/availableofficespace.html |archivedate=2009-11-03 }}</ref> The buildings are named after well known local industrialists and architects, such as [[John Dobson (architect)|John Dobson]] and [[John Scott, 1st Earl of Eldon|Lord Eldon]]. ; Buildings * Arden House * Bulman House  * Horsley House North * Horsley House  * Eldon House West * Northumbria House * Dobson House * Eldon House East * Regent Point

The Grainger Suite is located in Dobson House. North East accountancy firm MHA Tait Walker has offices in Bulman House.

In 2015 the owners of the north side of Regent Centre were exploring possibilities for the business park's future, including potentially turning the buildings into 400 residential dwellings, work that was under way in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/regent-centre-office-scheme-newcastle-8957358 |title=Regent Centre office scheme in Newcastle could be turned into 400 homes |publisher=The Journal |date=31 March 2015 |accessdate=4 April 2015 |archive-date=6 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406102416/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/business/business-news/regent-centre-office-scheme-newcastle-8957358 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist|33em}}

== External links == {{commons category|Regent Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne}} * [http://www.omniaoffices.com/offices/regent-centre-offices/ Omnia Regent Centre Official Website]

; Historic photographs * [https://web.archive.org/web/20081106062455/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/tlt/photo/018902.htm Photograph of Northern Rock Building, 1969] at Newcastle libraries service * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184836/http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/tlt/photo/045221.htm Photograph of Regent Centre, 1977] at Newcastle libraries service * [http://www.newscast.co.uk/media/mediapreview_big.jsp?js=false&id=2980 Northern Rock plc Head Office, 2000 photo 1]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [http://www1.newscast.co.uk/media/mediapreview_big.jsp?id=2979 photo 2]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [http://www1.newscast.co.uk/media/mediapreview_big.jsp?id=2978 photo 3]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} at Newscast * [https://web.archive.org/web/20110613015459/http://sine.ncl.ac.uk/view_structure_information.asp?struct_id=3176 Images of Regent Centre, 1977 & 1978] at [[Newcastle University]]'s SINE project

[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1981]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in Newcastle upon Tyne]] [[Category:Business parks of England]]