A company behind the restoration of historic buildings in Newcastle has moved into the city's famous Blue House.
Tyneside Group has been chosen by the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne - the owners of the property which dates back to the 19th century - from a number of applicants after it was marketed for rent at £15,000 a year.
The firm has made the move after selling its property management business - Tyneside Lettings Company - to Hive Estates earlier this year. Tyneside Group was previously based at another one of its renovations, Ellison Place.
Read more: go here for more North East business news
It will now base its construction arm, Tyneside Developments Limited, out of the house which gives its name to the Great North Road's Blue House roundabout.
Tyneside Group managing director Robbie Kalbraier said: "The architecture in the North East is vital to the culture and identity of the region and its people.
"We believe unique buildings like the Blue House deserve to be protected as well as modernised, allowing them to remain as functional spaces while still safe-guarding their heritage and importance in shaping our city.
"As we look towards the next 10 years, it is a privilege to be given the opportunity to base our family company in such a significant local landmark. We are extremely grateful to the Freemen of Newcastle upon Tyne for choosing us from the many applicants."
Blue House had remained empty for a number of years before the Freemen decided to covert it into five offices with a bathroom and kitchen, plus gardens and parking spaces.
Tyneside Group says it has a strong connection to listed and heritage buildings in Newcastle having led schemes such as Westgate House which involved the redevelopment of four terraced houses on Westgate Road and £6.3m works on New Bridge Street, among others.
And one of Tyneside Developments' latest projects has been replacing the roof on Tynemouth's Gibraltar Rock pub following serious damage in Storm Arwen.
The group now says it has a number of projects under way and hopes to launch more this year.
