Next phase of development at Smith's Dock is unveiled
Work has started on the next phase of homes at Smith’s Dock in North Shields, a brand new neighbourhood on the Tyne.
Having secured planning permission last year, joint venture developers Places for People and Urban Splash have commenced work on 80 apartments known as the Smokehouses. Designed by award winning architects SimpsonHaugh, the two buildings comprising 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes will complete in 2018 and offer stunning views of the river and docks; there will also be ground floor retail space which will sit alongside the pedestrian route along the riverfront.
Nigel Brewer of Places for People said: “There’s a swathe of activity on site right now as we begin constructing the Smokehouses. The buildings are another brilliant addition to the community we’re creating at Smith’s Dock and a demonstration of our commitment to bringing the site’s overall masterplan to life – something which will ultimately bring a variety of new and exciting space including a green public space, homes, workspace, as well as a retail and leisure offering.”
The Smokehouses are being constructed by Robertson North East England, a regional business within the £450 million infrastructure group Robertson. Garry Hope, Regional Managing Director added: “We are delighted to be a part of this momentous regeneration scheme; the site is abuzz with activity and it won’t be long before the community can start to see the Smokehouses take shape.”
The Smith’s Dock development has been designed with context in mind; the site’s shipyard heritage is evident across the branding, while the Smokehouses have been designed in a similar form and scale of the adjacent Brewery Bond development – thus ensuring they sit naturally into the landscape. David Green, Partner at SimpsonHaugh said: “We are proud to be working with Urban Splash and Places for People on the first phase of our Smith’s Dock masterplan to regenerate the former working docks on the banks of the River Tyne. The Smokehouses design takes inspiration from the existing industrial buildings along the quayside and local smokehouses. These buildings are referenced in a contemporary manner, using strong forms articulated at ground and upper levels through the use of pitched roofs, robust materials and simple rectangular openings.“
The news comes just weeks after Places for People and Urban Splash launched the Town Houses for sale at the scheme; 24 properties will be available in total in the first release, with prices from £285,000 for a three-story, 1,500 sq ft home with views of the river. Explaining the unique way they’re created, Urban Splash director of residential Guy Ackernley said: “House is our modular residential concept designed in collaboration with shedkm whereby we create contemporary, family homes in a factory environment. The result is a series of spacious homes that occupy a brilliant position in North Shields.
“Interest in what we’re creating at Smith’s Dock has been incredible so far; more than 500 people came to see our show House on opening weekend so we are very much looking forward to showing people the Smokehouses in the near future too.”
A further ten modular Houses are being created by the developers in collaboration with North-East architect and broadcaster George Clarke; the ‘FAB’ Houses – also created in factory environments – will launch later in the year.
