thePlace to be in Sunderland

A new showpiece £6m arts and business centre in the regenerated historic quarter of Sunderland city centre is to officially open in November.

thePlace is home to exhibition space, a café, meeting rooms, artists’ studios and a range of offices and is the latest addition to Sunniside’s exciting regeneration programme.

The venue, which is to receive its official opening on November 10, is already home to a diverse range of businesses including a college department, photography and film companies, an architects firm and a project management consultancy. It will also host a series of innovative exhibitions and events.

Located in part of central Sunderland, which is home to over 160 listed buildings, thePlace comprises a new build complex and six refurbished grade II listed buildings. The rich history and character of Sunniside is commemorated in stunning glass louvres installed on the outside of the building, which were designed by local artist Kathryn Hodgkinson.

thePlace, designed by Newcastle-based architects Reid Jubb Brown Partnership and constructed by Kendall Cross Holdings Ltd, won best office development at the region’s prestigious Journal Landmark Award in October. The award-winning building sits adjacent to the stunning Sunniside Gardens, which have themselves picked up a string of accolades since opening in March last year.

Spearheading the Sunniside regeneration is Sunniside Partnership, set up by Sunderland Council, Sunderland arc, English Partnerships and One NorthEast, with additional support from TyneWear Partnership and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). thePlace development was also funded by Heritage Lottery.

Cllr Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council and chairman of Sunniside Partnership, said: “thePlace is a fantastic building that will help to attract further investment into the area. It is providing high quality, modern business and artistic space in a beautiful setting.”

Ben Hall, director of Sunniside Partnership, said: “More and more businesses and artists are taking advantage of the high quality buildings and offices we can now offer in Sunniside and it is great to see it becoming a thriving part of the city centre again."