Creative theme to Ouseburn offices.

Byline: Peter McCusker

ANEW pounds 5.2m speculative office development in Newcastle is being marketed to the creative and media industries.

Regeneration specialist Priority Sites in partnership with Newcastle City Council and heritage body the Ouseburn Trust, has developed the grade A office space at Upper Steenbergs Yard, Ouseburn Valley.

The three buildings within the Media Exchange each have three office suites ranging in size from 2,077 sq ft to 3,355 sq ft, which are available for lease.

Priority Sites development manager Adam Richardson said: "We are delighted with the high quality and excellent design of The Media Exchange.

It provides light, spacious, open plan offices in a sought-after location.'' The Ouseburn Valley has established itself as a centre of choice for the cultural industry, it is close to Newcastle Quayside and easily accessible by both the A1 and the A19.

GVA Grimley is marketing the suites on behalf of regeneration specialist Priority Sites. Its director Tony Wordsworth said: "The Media Exchange is the perfect environment for creative, media-related and IT companies, with modern, cost-effective office suites and like-minded neighbours in an historic part of the city." Some of the material found on the site before development started, in particular the bricks, stone and steelwork, have been reclaimed and used in the new office development.

The office exteriors incorporate a living sedum roof to reduce rainwater run-off and a Kalwall wall-to-ceiling panelling system that diffuses all the natural light filtering in and yet retains the full privacy of the occupants.

Internally, the office suites have been fitted with mezzanine floors to retain a spacious feel and with its fixtures and fittings having an art deco finish.

In recognition of both the heritage of the Ouseburn Valley and the creative industries that have put down roots in the area, Priority Sites has also commissioned three works of art - a cycle corral, bespoke wood engravings printed on to enamelled plaques and glass canopies depicting various images of the Ouseburn - to grace the office exteriors.

Pat Ritchie, regional director for the North East at the Homes and Communities Agency, said: "This is a great example of public-private working - from a derelict site to a new state-of-the-art office complex which is environmentally sustainable, creates jobs and taps into our rich cultural heritage - it shows the power of regeneration."It's the perfect environment for creative, media-related and IT companies, with like-minded neighbours

CAPTION(S):

ON THE BALL From left: Jane Stonehouse, associate director GVA Grimley, Adam Richardson, development manager Priority Sites, Pat Ritchie, NE regional director Homes and Communities Agency, Bill Skilki, chief executive Priority Sites, and Tony Wordsworth, director GVA Grimley.