Award winning redevelopment of a former Victorian warehouse, Maling Exchange has transformed the space where the famous Maling pottery brand was made into a cutting-edge office hub, delivering superfast broadband and connectivity to new and growing firms in the creative sector.
The redevelopment involved securement of £1.5m grant funding from the European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007-2013, managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government, to part finance the project, with match funding by client Hoults Yard. Services included procurement and appointment of the design team and build contractor within ERDF stringent regulations, securement of ERDF grant of £1.5m, management of design process, securement of planning permission and feasibility appraisals, advice on legal appointments and contracts, design reviews, value engineering, appointment of contractor, management through build to practical completion, and procurement and appointment of Commercial Letting Agent and Design Marketing Agency.
With attention to detailed design, in over 4,500 sqm of space, the low ceiling heights of the ground and first floors were overcome and enhanced to provide forty offices of a bespoke-workspace nature for the fast growing creative and tech sector in the North East. An additional attached warehouse was retained, and provides covered break-out space and events such as foodie Fridays.
The development created a 'front door' to the Hoults Yard site, a busy office park and media hub housing 90 companies, employing 500 staff in sectors such as TV and film, public relations, fashion designers, iPhone app developers and search engine marketing specialists.
The development is highly successful and was near fully let within 12 months of completion.
Contractor - Brims
Awards
ERDF best practice project.
RICS Awards, North East 2016
Winner of the Building Conservation Category
Winner of the Commercial Category
