It's an exciting time to live in Sunderland, as the face of the city rapidly changes.
In a few years time the city will no doubt look completely different, with a range of new buildings, homes and architectural structures all being built and transforming the skyline. The vast changes that are on the horizon include a new footbridge spanning the River Wear, whole neighbourhoods, parks, a business district and a north-side venue crammed with local bars and businesses.
Major works are currently under way all over the city, and many of the changes are already clear to see, with a new City Hall already up and running, the demolition of the old Civic Centre well on its way, and the new train station nearing completion. The once derelict Vaux site - which stood empty for years, much to the annoyance of residents - is in the process of being completely revitalised, with the Riverside masterplan well under way.
Here are the long-awaited projects which are now transforming Sunderland:
Riverside Sunderland
Labelled as the most ambitious city centre regeneration project in the UK, Riverside Sunderland is set to be a new, carbon-neutral urban quarter for the city. It is anticipated to be a place of work and a place to live and socialise, with a 32-hectare site in the heart of the city being transformed.
It will include 1,000 new energy efficient homes in four distinctive neighbourhoods, doubling the city centre population and creating a new community. A new central business district will also be created with 1 million square feet of modern office space, alongside space for small businesses and start-ups.
Riverside Park
At the heart of the new urban quarter will be Riverside Park, which includes the valley of Galley’s Gill, both banks of the River Wear and bands of woodland. The area will be restored to create a people’s park, with an improved paths network, lighting, new spaces for play and exercise, a café-pavilion, and a dedicated site for community growing.
A year-round programme of events and festivities will all take place there, and woodland management, planting and a new maintenance regime will enhance the biodiversity value of the whole site, creating new habitats for birds, insects and mammals. It is hoped the park will be a focal point for walking and cycling, with connections to the rest of the city, including the two university campuses.
Central Business District
Sunderland will soon see the creation of a new central business district (CBD). When complete, the CBD will provide more than 1 million square feet of office space, providing space for 8,000 to 10,000 jobs in the area. The CBD will be developed in phases, and has already started at the Vaux site – close to the Beam and City Hall – before moving on to new sites linking St Mary’s Boulevard to High Street West. Buildings on the Vaux site already include The Beam – the first new office building in Riverside Sunderland when it opened its doors in 2019, the City Hall, and the Maker and Faber buildings. North East Screen officially moved into its new office at The Beam last week, too.
St Mary's Boulevard
St Mary’s Boulevard will be the CBD’s main street and will be upgraded to create a green boulevard, including a new urban square and open spaces which will encourage people to move freely between Vaux and the centre of the city. The redesigned street will also be a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists. To minimise the impact of vehicles on the central business district, parking will be concentrated at either end of the site, at St Mary’s and a new multi-storey car park in Farringdon Row.
A major employment site - earmarked for a life sciences facility - at the west end of St Mary’s Boulevard, and space for small businesses and start-ups will also be created.
Culture House
A highly anticipated aspect of the Riverside masterplan is Culture House, which will be situated in Keel Square. It is set to be a vibrant, multi-purpose building which will provide a much-needed home for a new city library, targeted services for children and families, and a local studies and archive centre in the historic area of the city. It will also contain community facilities and a café and social space.
The Riverside Sunderland neighbourhoods
Riverside Sunderland will see the development of 1,000 new homes which will double the population of the city centre and create a brand new community. Sunderland Council say it will be a "special place" and will include houses and apartments to rent or buy. Four new neighbourhoods named, Vaux, Farringdon Row, Ayre's Quay and Sheepfolds, will also be created and will overlook the river and have access to local services, community gardens and green spaces.
A set of unique house designs inspired by local traditions, including modern versions of the Sunderland cottage will all be built and made in Sunderland. The homes will be energy efficient, technology-enabled, and super-connected to the city’s emerging 5G network. Vaux will be made up of 130 houses, maisonettes and apartments on the site of the former Vaux brewery; Farringdon Row will be made up of 160 homes overlooking Galley’s Gill, with views of the bridges and access to Riverside Park. Ayre's Quay will be the smallest neighbourhood, with 80 homes overlooking the river and the Stadium of Light. The Sheepfolds neighbourhood will be the largest with 450 houses and apartments, and will be linked to the city centre by a new, high-level bridge.
Sunderland train station
One development that the people of Sunderland are happy to see take shape is the new train station. Following the demolition of the previous "eyesore", the £26 million project kickstarted and is part of a wider £100 million plan to transform the main transport hub. The new station has been long awaited by the community.
Last month, the station marked a major milestone as the steel frame of the stunning new entrance was erected. Driven by Sunderland City Council, in partnership with Network Rail, Nexus, Grand Central and Northern Rail, the council is now drumming up support for an entire station makeover over the coming years, with a vision to revamp the northern entrance of the station, as well as platform-level works to increase the capacity of the station, with four tracks and four platforms to separate Nexus and Metro from mainline services.
Sheepfolds venue
Sunderland will soon have a brand new venue on the north side of the River Wear, a stone's throw away from the Stadium of Light. The Sheepfolds is a Grade II listed site which is undergoing rapid transformation and will soon host an impressive array of local businesses, bars and eateries.
After planning permission was granted for the building’s transformation, it has allowed the stables and surrounding courtyards to be transformed into a new destination for food, drinks, events and entertainment. Headed by local firm BDN, the Sheepfolds has already announced Speyside Distillers, a concept coffee shop called RESINN, and a restaurant called Zinc as businesses that will occupy the site.
Crown Works Studios
One major planned development which has stunned many, are proposals to create £450m film studios which could create one of Europe’s largest facilities as well as thousands of jobs. FulwellCain Studios – a joint venture between global entertainment company Fulwell 73 and Cain International – says its plans for Crown Works Studios in Sunderland would aid the launch of a creative cluster in the region, coming just months after the launch of plans for a water studio within the city.
The plans are described by city leaders as “the single most significant development announcement to come out of the North East in decades” and will build on Fulwell 73’s existing presence in the city. The joint venture – which requires support from Government to go ahead – aims to lead the development of a 1.68m sq ft film industry hub at Pallion, with up to 20 sound stages suitable for major feature film and TV productions.
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