Former Bank of England, Newcastle-upon-Tyne



Architect
Fitzroy, Robinson & Partners - Sir Basil Spence
Date Built
1968 - 1971
Location
Pilgrim Street and Swan House Roundabout
Description
When I took these images in March of 2012, the demolition of this building was already underway.  This branch of the Bank of England was one of three such buildings built by Fitzroy, Robinson and Partners, the other two being in Manchester and Birmingham (see directly below). 



This building is making way for a new development of the Pilgrim Street area.  The actual nature of that redevelopment appears to a work in progress.  In November of 2012 a conference is planned in Newcastle entitled "Newcastle £4 Billion Development Between 2012 and 2020".  One of the sessions is to focus on East Pilgrim Street and the information on that session says that, "The Southern part of East Pilgrim Street is to be developed into a distinctive retail led mixed use quarter. The East Pilgrim Street area is a crucial priority located at the heart of the City Centre next to the shopping core. Reuben brothers are leading the development of the 2mil sq ft Southern sector. Aldersgate, the firm running the project for the Reuben Brothers, are working with Newcastle Council and project consultants Jones Lang Lasalle to devise an overall plan for the future of the site. That plan is expected to be completed and made public primo/medio 2012. What is the vision for this site? What funding is in place? Are any contracts signed? When will bidding commence? When will contractors move in? Status for the planning work, timeline and next steps."