Town centre renovation project unearths hidden treasures
Entombed staircases, lost rooms and unmarked basements have been discovered as work to redevelop the iconic former Northern Echo building begins.
Work to remove asbestos from the site in preparation for a new adult skills hub and high quality, serviced office accommodation, unearthed the hidden features which also include ornate art deco columns and decorative lights. The building on Priestgate, which was bought by Darlington Borough Council in 2022, is a cornerstone in plans to regenerate the town centre and will place life-long learning at the heart of the business community.
Leading workspace provider, Adavo, which has extensive experience in developing and letting serviced office and workspaces in prestigious, landmark buildings across the North East, will design, deliver and operate the £11.4 million project which is being funded by the UK Government and Tees Valley Combined Authority. The project aims to bring this important building back to life, creating contemporary accommodation with modern communal facilities and high-speed internet connections which meet the changing needs of modern audiences and businesses.
The renovation will draw upon the building’s rich history to deliver elegant timeless spaces which are sympathetic to the building's past and will include original Darlington and Stockton Times glasswork and a memorial paying homage to people called to serve during the Great War. Sustainability will be at the heart of the transformation with ambitions for the project to receive international accreditation for its environmental credentials.
Work is scheduled to start over the summer holidays and footpaths surrounding the building on Priestgate and Crown Street will be closed from 22 July to allow scaffolding to be erected. The closures will be in place until September 2025. Three disabled parking bays on Crown Street will also be unavailable during this period.
Angela Howey, Town Board Chair, said: “Fantastic progress is being made on what is a flagship project for the town. I am looking forward to the next phase of work beginning in August with a view to the adult skills facility opening its doors to new learners from September 2025 and commercial space being available the following year."
Cllr Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy, said: "The renovation will offer superior accommodation for businesses looking to launch, grow or relocate in the town - creating more high-quality job opportunities for local people, including those learning at the new adult skills facility, as well as increasing footfall in the town centre to support other businesses. Co-locating commercial space with further education provision also poses significant possibilities for joint working to ensure our working age population is equipped with the skills they need for employment."
Mark Black, chief executive, Adavo, said: "The Northern Echo building is a fabulous setting, with an interesting history and great local connections. We are excited to have the opportunity to redevelop the space to accommodate the changing needs and demands of modern businesses; helping to bring more, better quality jobs to the area and supporting the ongoing training and development of local talent. We have a great design planned which will support, inspire and motivate learners, businesses and visitors, and which celebrates and preserves the buildings heritage; with our sustainability ambitions reflecting the ethos of William Stead, a Victorian editor of the paper who used it as a platform to tackle political and social causes."