Area-based regeneration: Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne

In 2007, Creative Space independently identified Ouseburn as a location with creative cluster development potential and began conversations with local stakeholders. In 2009, Creative Space was appointed to work alongside architects XSite in developing high-quality designs for a new catalytic workspace, Toffee Factory, led by NewcastleGateshead city development company 1NG (with funding from the European Union’s EDRF Competitiveness Programme, One North East and Newcastle City Council).

Creative Space carried out feasibility and business planning for the iconic 1,600sm workspace, led on branding and pre-marketing and acted as building operator throughout the early cycles of development of the surrounding area (2011-2020).

The building opened with 45% occupancy and reached 100% within 9 months. In 2012, Toffee Factory won two prestigious Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Awards; Regeneration Project of the Year and two Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Awards; Northeast Sustainable Building of the Year and North East Building of the Year.

More importantly, Toffee Factory established the mouth of the Ouseburn Valley as a regional creative business and leisure destination. An innovative events programme generated a stream of news and images. At night, people congregated to pose against the glowing arch lights, share images and comments on social media sites, and attend outdoor events set against a backdrop as dynamic as the Valley itself.

Confidence in development of neighbouring parcels of land encouraged Igloo and Newcastle City Council to develop 76 new homes on the bank opposite Toffee Factory, becoming Supreme Winner of the 2016 Housing Design Awards. A second phase of mixed use commercial and residential development alongside Toffee Factory, The Lower Steenberg’s Yard opened in autumn 2021. Ambitious developments continue on neighbouring sites….