Keelmen’s new lifeline
An exciting and ambitious project to save one of Newcastle’s most historic buildings has been launched.
Newcastle City Council is teaming up with T+WBPT to give the ancient Keelmen’s Hospital a new lease of life.
The brick-built Grade II* listed building has loomed over City Road, Sandgate, since 1701 when it was funded and opened as an alms house for retired or sick keelmen and their widows.
Keelmen had the perilous job of transporting coal in boats known as keels up the Tyne to ships bound for London and further afield.
The hospital was eventually converted into student accommodation but vacated in 2009 and has stood empty ever since. The site is currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register. An attempt by the building’s owner Newcastle City Council to market the building three years ago failed to find a buyer leaving it with an uncertain future.
Now the council, the Trust and Historic England are funding a viability project to explore converting the building into much-needed affordable housing.
Sadly, like a lot of old buildings, the occupants moved out and it has stood empty for far too long. Attempts to find a buyer have so far failed. Linking up with the TWBPT is an exciting development, and one in which I hope we can finally break the deadlock and bring the building back into use. There is a chronic shortage of affordable housing in our country so it would be wonderful if we could convert it into homes once again. A definite case of history going full circle.
Councillor Nick kemp
We’re really pleased to be co-funding this viability study for the Keelmen’s Hospital, as well as offering technical advice.
This is the first important step towards removing the building from the Heritage at Risk Register and securing its long-term future.
The first phase of the viability project is for the Trust to fully understand the history and present condition of the building.
Maria Carballeira, Historic England
A lot is already known about the building from 1701 to 1960 but records after that are missing. So, we are keen to hear from anyone with a connection to the building – especially students who lived there.
The project design team is led by JDDK Architects who were selected following a competitive tender process. They will be supported by Thornton Firkin, CK21, JC Consulting Engineers, Screen & Forster engineers.
The role of the Trust is to bring new life to buildings that are historically important and where the commercial market has failed to deliver a suitable solution. We look forward to working with the council to make this happen.
Shona Alexander, Chair of the trust
It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring the building back to life.
Martin Hulse, Trust manager.
Become a part of history
Your support means we can continue to help the buildings of the North East thrive.