The good neighbour.

Byline: By Rebekah Ashby

We complete our series profiling the winners of The Journal's third Landmark Awards with a look at Manor Chare. Rebekah Ashby reports on the winner of the 2006 Residential Award.

Waring and Netts produced the masterplan and the architectural design for Trinity Gardens, a mixed-use development that regenerated a brownfield site.

The project, which was honoured at the third Journal Landmark Awards with the Residential Award, forms a welcoming focal point to Newcastle's Quayside.

Silverlink Property Developments, in conjunction with the architects, recognised that although the Quayside had undergone a highly successful revitalisation since 1995, this particular part of the city had been left to stagnate and the opportunities to create a link between it and the city centre had been missed.

Local people reported that poor lighting and layouts had conspired to make some areas feel unsafe, and did not make the most of views of historic buildings.

The pivotal factor in achieving what many wanted was the development of Manor Chare apartments ( 58 luxury flats with two decks of parking providing 60 car spaces and 18 cycle bays.

The site, next to the listed All Saints Church at the junction of Manor Chare and Broad Chare, was problematic, triangular and steeply sloping.

The Landmark judges were impressed that to counter this the practice designed a V-shaped, predominantly six-storey building formed around a central courtyard in three sections, stepping down the site and topped by a cascade of curving roofs, which accentuate the site's gradient and evoke the gorge created by the original Pandon stream that ran down the valley.

It was vital that the frontage, being next to a number of listed buildings, blended with the older surroundings.

Deep overhanging eaves feature at roof level, supported by two huge posts to form an awning that is a strong focal point.

The building is subdivided by inset and Juliet balconies, highlighted by peppermint-coloured glazed bricks.

Established residents say the scheme has reclaimed their local landmarks. Strong links have been created on All Saints embankment and Corner Tower which allow the public to rediscover the hidden fabric of the city.

Creative lighting, new footpaths and striking landscaping have been important factors, encouraging people to consider the area for the first time as a potential home.

From the beginning, Waring and Netts sought to improve the quarter for the public, not just people living in the apartments. This was achieved by becoming involved in local residents' meetings.

An electric Quaylink bus ensures the site is easily accessible from the city centre and substantial open public areas provide a cultural centre and venue for entertainment, art and relaxation.

In addition, new high office schemes mean the quarter is vibrant both day and night, with the creation of local shops stimulating a retail economy.

It is now one year since the completion of Trinity Gardens. In this time Manor Chare has proved to be an integral part of the new city quarter and has gone from strength to strength.

It is easy to see why this part of the mixed-used development has continued to be a catalyst for ongoing regeneration.

WINNER

Manor Chare, Newcastle Quayside

Architect: Waring and Netts

Developer: Silverlink Property Developments

Contractor: Taylor Woodrow Construction

RUNNER-UP

The Hotspur, 21 Bondgate, Alnwick, Northumberland

Architect: Gray, Fawdon and Riddle

Developer: County Life Homes

Contractor: Harry Kindred

RUNNER-UP

Westoe Crown Village, South Shields, South Tyneside

Architect: ID Partnership

Developer & Contractor: George Wimpey North East