Green light for short-stay apartment project in Newcastle

UK: Monument Real Estate (Monument) has received approval to convert an office block into short-stay apartments in the Bigg Market area of Newcastle, United Kingdom. 

The property, which will be designed by Xsite Architecture, is located at 2 Cathedral Square.

Renovation plans were first submitted by Monument in December 2023. Recent plans were approved with a reduced number of apartments from 139 to 135. Amenities will feature a fitness room, business lounge and residents’ lounge. 

A three-storey extension will be added to the building in order to restore its original height, where the old Town Hall and the Corn Exchange once stood. 

Director and founder of Monument, Tom Wooldridge, said: “Newcastle has an under supply of serviced apartments when compared to other major regional UK cities. With nearby office developments such as Bank House approaching full occupancy and HMRC’s new HQ at Pilgrims Quarter launching soon, the demand for flexible accommodation in the city centre is set to only increase further, so we are very pleased to get the green light. Providing more opportunities for visitors to stay in the city centre can only have a positive effect on the local economy.” 

Helen Marks, director at urban planning consultancy DPP, who represented Monument, said: “We are absolutely delighted that after two years of working in close collaboration with officers from Newcastle City Council that the planning committee has supported the proposals for the conversion and extension of Cathedral Square. The scheme which has the support of Historic England and NE1 will, once delivered, support the wider regeneration of the Bigg Market and support the local economy.” 

Highlights: 

• Monument Real Estate has received approval to convert an office block at 2 Cathedral Square in Newcastle into 135 short-stay apartments.

• The project, designed by Xsite Architecture, will include a three-storey extension to restore the site’s original height. 

• Amenities for the building will include a fitness room, a business lounge and a residents’ lounge. 

• The development addresses a shortage of serviced apartments in Newcastle.

• Planning approval follows a two-year collaboration with Newcastle City Council.