More improvements underway in Sunniside
02/09/2009
Two million pounds of improvements to streets in the Sunniside quarter of Sunderland city centre will begin this week (TUES 1 SEP).
The work is part of the ongoing regeneration of the area, led by Sunniside Partnership, and follows on from the success of the award-winning Sunniside Gardens. Proposals include pavement widening and better street lighting, making it safer and more pedestrian friendly and helping to improve connections between Sunniside and the rest of the city centre.
Funded by One North East and delivered by Sunniside Partnership on behalf of Sunderland City Council, the improvements will be carried out in phases and will be completed in early summer next year. Work has been programmed to cause minimum disruption during the Christmas period. The final phase will include unique and exciting installations by international artists.
The project has been designed by North East firm Robinson Landscape Design, the architects for Sunniside Gardens. Lumsden and Carroll has been appointed to carry out the work, which will take place on:
• St Thomas Street
• High Street West (between Fawcett Street and Norfolk Street)
• West Sunniside and Norfolk Street (between High Street West and Sunniside Gardens)
• Coronation Street
Cllr Paul Watson, chairman of Sunniside Partnership and Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We are very proud of the Sunniside regeneration area and all that it has to offer. It is a beautiful part of the city centre with historic architecture, attractive gardens as well as lots of stylish bars, restaurants, cafés, leisure venues and shops. This work will help to encourage more people to the area by improving some important linkages to the rest of the city.”
Since Sunniside Partnership was established in 2003 the area has attracted more than £100m of investment. In the last 12 months alone a further 11 new bars, restaurants and cafés have opened, strengthening Sunniside’s reputation as a vibrant and stylish part of the city centre.
Ben Hall, director of Sunniside Partnership, said: “Sunniside Gardens have proved what good quality public realm can do to improve a place. They have breathed new life into the heart of Sunniside and we want to continue this by creating better streets in the surrounding area, using high quality materials to complement the Gardens.”
Sunniside Partnership works in conjunction with Sunderland arc and is supported by Sunderland City Council, One North East and the Homes and Communities Agency.
For more information please contact Sunniside Partnership on 0191 5674822 or email info@sunnisidepartnership.co.uk
arc and Sunniside showcase opportunities at region’s Commercial Property Show
24/03/2009
Sunderland arc and Sunniside Partnership joined organisations from across the region to showcase business opportunities at the annual Tyne & Wear Commercial Property Show.
Organised by the Tyne & Wear Development Company, the show is the biggest commercial property event in the North and is a must for any business with a property need.
Held at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland in March, the event gave people the chance to find out about the latest property opportunities from the region's leading agents, developers, business support organisations and local authorities.
Members of the arc and Sunniside team were on hand to discuss future plans and updates on all of our major development projects as well as highlighting the business opportunities in the up and coming area of Sunniside in Sunderland city centre.
SUNNISIDE TRIUMPHS AT REGION’S HADRIAN AWARDS
11/12/2009
Two new developments in a regenerated part of Sunderland city centre have been recognised as among the best in the North East at a prestigious ceremony celebrating the best in architecture and design.
thePlace arts and business centre in Sunniside was one of only six winners at December’s Hadrian Awards in Newcastle. And Sunniside Gardens was also given a special Commendation.
Since 1989 the Hadrian Awards have been celebrating the best in architecture and the design of the built environment in the North East and Cumbria. The Awards are organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects North East, Northern Architecture, the North of England Civic Trust and the Landscape Institute North East Branch.
thePlace opened in November 2008 and is now home to a diverse range of creative businesses, performance space, art gallery/exhibition spaces, a café and meeting rooms.
Designed by Reid Jubb Brown, the £6 million development 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.
Sunniside Gardens is a £2 million public realm scheme that was officially opened in March 2007 and has breathed new life into the Sunniside area. Designed by local firm Robinson Landscape Design it has helped to raise the profile of Sunniside as a desirable place to shop and visit in the city centre.
The Gardens has previously scooped a RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) North East Renaissance Award as well as commendations at the Landscape Institute Awards and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association North East Awards.
Councillor Paul Watson, Leader of Sunderland City Council and Chair of Sunniside Partnership, said: “We are delighted that the regeneration schemes in Sunniside are being recognised at a regional and national level. The Hadrian Awards only go to projects that have been up and running for at least a year, which means the judges were obviously impressed with the popularity as well as the design of thePlace and Sunniside Gardens. They have proved successful and attractive additions to the city centre.”
Since Sunniside Partnership was established in 2003 by Sunderland arc, Sunderland City Council, One North East and the Homes and Communities Agency the area has attracted over £100 million of investment.
Ben Hall, director of Sunniside Partnership said: “It is fantastic that Sunniside has received not just one but two awards at this prestigious awards ceremony.
“Both schemes have made such a positive difference to the area and Sunderland city centre as a whole. This regional recognition is testament to the high quality of these developments and the people behind them, particularly Reid Jubb Brown and Robinson Landscape Design.
“We look to build on this success with further public realm works currently underway, which will improve connections between Sunniside and the rest of the city centre as well as making it safer and more pedestrian friendly.”