Plans to turn a former Newcastle hospital site into a £500m world class research centre have moved forward after the appointment of a developer.
Newcastle University bought the old Newcastle General Hospital site three years ago as part of plans to expand its Campus for Ageing and Vitality (CAV).
Its proposals to create a mixed use scheme, integrating research, living, workspace and health uses, were approved in February, leading to the search for contractors. Now the university has announced a joint venture with Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd for the project, which will create a number of new jobs as well as new homes.
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The scheme, based in Newcastle’s West End, aims to create a leading destination to examine new approaches to the way we live and how these can relate to improved health and wellbeing.
The 29-acre site will include specialist housing that will be trialled, specifically for those living with dementia and traumatic injury. The Campus for Ageing and Vitality will aim to become the UK’s leading development of an exemplar neighbourhood, building on the university’s reputation for research in healthy ageing.
The masterplan, which has been developed with GSS Architecture, will also focus on integrating the site with the surrounding communities.
The majority of buildings on the old hospital site, which dates back to the 1800s, are being demolished to make way for the landmark expansion of CAV, which currently occupies part of the northern end of the plot.
The Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd partnership is itself a 50/50 JV between Kajima, the pan-European real asset developer, investor and asset manager and leading regeneration developer, Genr8.
It marks the first scheme awarded to Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd, which was formed latest year when the two firms worked together to deliver Rochdale Riverside, a new retail and leisure development in the centre of Rochdale.
As part of its development partner role, the joint venture will secure funding for the scheme, which has an estimated value of £500m.
Professor David Burn, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Newcastle University, said: “The site will give us an unprecedented opportunity to undertake world-class research that not only benefits our local population but people nationally and internationally, too.
“We will take a whole-system approach, from cell to community, working with our partners to create a site that is truly unique in its scope, for the health and wellbeing of our population, as well as boosting the economy of our region.”
Professor Jane Robinson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Engagement and Place at Newcastle University said: “By 2040, one in seven of us will be aged 75 or over. The Campus for Ageing and Vitality will be a global exemplar for healthy ageing, enabling people to live longer, healthier lives.
“Building on our key strengths, including the National Innovation Centre for Ageing, we are bringing together world-leading academics, industry, public sector and local communities to help find solutions to complex challenges of an ageing population and maximise the economic opportunities of global longevity economy.”
Kate Pix, regeneration director at Kajima, said: “If we are to Level Up the country, we can’t simply build more homes. We also need to rethink how we use existing places, particularly those with in-built community benefits such as health facilities, life sciences and other social infrastructure.
“Newcastle’s Campus for Ageing and Vitality plans to achieve all of this whilst also becoming an innovative centre for developing homes and services that support the health and wellbeing of the local community and beyond. By placing community, health, sustainability and people at the heart of our work we will deliver both homes and jobs for local people.
“We are therefore very excited to be working as development partner with Newcastle University and to continue our ongoing relationship with Genr8 following our successful partnership in transforming Rochdale town centre.”
Genr8 partner Richard Ingham added: “CAV represents an unrivalled opportunity to deliver an exemplar scheme of international significance, which harnesses best practice and drives innovation in the living and place arenas. We believe that the partnership between GKRL and Newcastle University provides a unique combination of academic excellence, property investment and development expertise.”
