Manor Hotel Demolished

Work has begun to demolish a derelict hotel in the heart of Sunderland paving the way for the second phase of a new £6.1m arts and business centre.

The Manor Hotel in Sunniside will make way for thePlace, which is part of the £130m regeneration scheme for the area.

Spearheading the project is Sunniside Partnership, supported by Sunderland Council, Sunderland arc, English Partnerships and One NorthEast.

The first phase of thePlace, completed in May last year, was the £1m conversion of three formerly derelict Georgian Grade II listed townhouses into modern offices. Eager first tenants are already working in this unique location.

The next step will be the creation of a range of business suites, artists studios, exhibition areas, conference/performance space and a café.

For the past six months The Manor Hotel has been home to a temporary piece of art created by Rory Macbeth. The artist was commissioned to recreate the entire 25,000 word text of Sir Thomas More’s poem ‘Utopia’ of 1516 over every interior surface of the three-storey building. The new building will incorporate a replacement artwork in the form of an imaginative entrance. It will feature individually designed coloured glass pieces along the front of the building illuminated at night and becoming an attractive sunshield during the day.

Ben Hall, director of Sunniside Partnership, said: “The demolition of the Manor Hotel marks the beginning of a very exciting year for Sunniside. Already the transformation of the area is clear to see but there is much more on the horizon, including the official opening of the Gardens on March 16.
“thePlace will attract further investment into the area and will help Sunniside become the thriving hub of the city it once was.”

Sunniside Partnership chairman, Cllr Bob Symonds said: “thePlace will play a vital role in the continuing regeneration of Sunniside and our city overall. We all welcome this latest phase as more businesses and talented artists take advantage of the high quality buildings and offices we can now offer.”