Gateshead Millennium Bridge shortlisted for Architecture Today Awards

One of the North East's most iconic bridges has achieved national recognition from Architecture Today.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge has been shortlisted in the magazine's Architecture Today Awards which celebrated projects that have stood the test of time. The much-loved landmark is one of 32 finalists in the awards, where it is shortlisted in the Transport, Infrastructure, Landscape and Public Realm category.

The Millennium Bridge was built by Wilkinson Eyre in 2001 as a crossing between Gateshead and Newcastle for pedestrians and cyclists. The bridge, which is sometimes called the 'Blinking Eye Bridge,' is famous for its stunning eye-shaped design which enables it to tilt or 'blink' to allow ships and boats to travel along the River Tyne.

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Announcing the Millennium Bridge had been shortlisted, Architecture Today judges said: "A key component in the regeneration of Gateshead, this compelling civic project is a heady mix of architecture and engineering."

Avenue de Chartres Car Park by Birds Portchmouth Russum in Chichester, West Sussex, and Thames Barrier Park by Patel Taylor in Silvertown, London, have also been shortlisted alongside the Millennium Bridge for the award.

Architecture Today said it has only considered projects that have been in use for at least three years for the awards which look to celebrate longevity. The 32 projects have been shortlisted across nine categories: Residential; Education; Healthcare; Hospitality, Sport & Leisure; Mixed Use & Retail; Religion & Culture; Transport, Infrastructure, Landscape & Public realm; Workplace and International.

Winners of the Architecture Today Awards will be announced in February 2023 after presenting their projects to a live jury and audience at an event held in London on Monday, November 7.

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