{{short description|County building in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Use British English|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox building | name = Sandyford House | native_name = | image = Scottish Life House and Sandyford House, Sandyford Road, Newcastle (geograph 4660002).jpg | caption = Sandyford House (taller building to right), with Scottish Life House to left | pushpin_map = Tyne and Wear | address = Sandyford, Newcastle upon Tyne | location_city = | location_country = United Kingdom | pushpin_label = Sandyford House | coordinates = {{coord|54.9815|-1.6058|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}} | completion_date = c.1974 | former_names = | architect = | architectural_style = Brutalist style }} '''Sandyford House''' is a large office development on Sandyford Road in Sandyford, Newcastle upon Tyne. It was the offices and meeting place of Tyne and Wear County Council from its formation in 1974 until it was abolished in 1986.
==History== The building formed part of a wider initiative in the early 1970s to redevelop a residential area known as Archbold Terrace.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.old-maps.co.uk/#/Map/425225/565290/10/101326|title=Ordnance Survey Map|year=1970|accessdate=2 October 2020}}</ref> The complex included a 6-storey office block at the back (i.e. north) of the site, a 6-storey office block at the front left (i.e. south west) known as Scottish Life House and a 10-storey tower block at the front right (i.e. south east)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/39821974@N06/4078250531/|title=Archbold House Archbold Terrace Jesmond 1973|date=25 August 2009 |publisher=Newcastle Libraries|accessdate=2 October 2020}}</ref> as well as a public house known as the Royal Archer.<ref name=tws>{{cite web|url=https://twsitelines.info/SMR/15622|title=Jesmond, Archbold Terrace, Royal Archer Public House|publisher=Site Lines|accessdate=2 October 2020}}</ref> The design of the public house was commended by the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1976.<ref name=tws/>
Sandyford House, which was designed in the brutalist style and built by Sir Robert McAlpine with a reinforced concrete frame, was completed in c.1974.<ref>Photograph dated 1973 on the Skyscraper City website</ref> The design of the complex allowed vehicle access to Sandyford House from the south through an opening in the main frontage of Scottish Life House; Sandyford House became the offices and meeting place of Tyne and Wear County Council when it was formed in April 1974.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vw09BAAAQBAJ&q=Tyne+and+Wear+County+Council%2C+Sandyford+House%2C+Archbold+Terrace&pg=PA172|title=Ancient Monuments in the Countryside: An archaeological management review|first= Timothy|last= Darvill|page=172|publisher=English Heritage|year=1987|isbn=9781850741671}}</ref> The punk comic ''Viz'', established by Chris Donald in 1979, was also based in the complex.<ref name=multi>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/multi-million-pound-scheme-turn-10474649|title=Multi-million pound scheme to turn Jesmond offices in luxury flats and shops|date=20 November 2015|publisher=Chronicle Live|accessdate=14 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://nelh.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/North-East-History-Issue-45.pdf|title=North East History|year=2014|page=206|publisher=North East Labour History Society|accessdate=14 November 2020}}</ref>
After Tyne and Wear County Council was abolished in 1986, Sandyford House was adapted for use by the Department of Social Security.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/public-service-management-end-of-the-metropolitan-line-county-councils-face-an-uncertain-future-1540037.html|title=End of the metropolitan line: County councils face an uncertain future|work=The Independent|date=13 August 1992|accessdate=6 October 2019}}</ref> In the 1990s a 5-storey block on the east side of the complex was occupied by the energy efficiency business, Eaga, and became known as "Eaga House".<ref name=eaga>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-east/79845-plans-eaga-house-apartment-scheme|title=Plans in for Eaga House Redevelopment|date=8 November 2012|publisher=Inside Media|accessdate=14 November 2020}}</ref> The whole complex was acquired by the developer, Jomast, in 2004,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessnewsnortheast.co.uk/15m-residential-scheme-to-complete-emerging-quarter-of-newcastle/|title=£15m residential scheme to complete emerging quarter of Newcastle|date=9 July 2019|publisher=Business News North East|accessdate=14 November 2020}}</ref> who branded it Jesmond Three Sixty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2019/07/09/plans-for-new-15m-newcastle-housing-development-unveiled|title=Plans for new £15m Newcastle housing development unveiled|date=9 July 2019|publisher=Bdaily|accessdate=31 August 2019}}</ref> After Eaga moved to Partnership House in Gosforth in 2009, Jomast submitted proposals to Newcastle City Council for the conversion of Eaga House into apartments, a project which was completed in January 2016.<ref name=multi/> The developer went on to present proposals for the conversion of Sandyford House into apartments as well in December 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/insider/northeast/decision-due-on-15-storey-tower|title=Decision due on 15-storey tower|date=14 December 2017|publisher=Inside Media|accessdate=14 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/sandyford-house-jesmond-newcastle-plans-14065552|title=Former Jesmond offices to be turned into 15-storey apartment block for city living|publisher=Chronicle Live|date=21 December 2017|accessdate=14 November 2020}}</ref>
Following the acquisition and demolition of the former Quaker Meeting House, located on an adjacent site on the east side, Jomast also presented proposals to build an 18-storey tower in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/18-storey-residential-development-unveiled-16555635|title=18-storey residential development unveiled for prestigious Newcastle site|date=9 July 2019|publisher=Business Live|accessdate=14 November 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Newcastle upon Tyne Category:County halls in England Category:Government buildings completed in 1974