The Beacon
The Beacon for the West End's future is underway and is set for completion early 2012
With innovation and creativity at its core, the plans to redevelop the former West Road Fire Station are being realised. Now the exciting development of this landmark site is underway and is already playing a role at the heart of the West End's revival.
With elected community members involved from the early stages of its development, The Beacon truly is a legacy for the area. Residents were involved throughout the design phases with over 700 people attending a consultation event in August 2009 giving us their views on how the building should look, feel and what it should be delivering for their communities.
The Fire Station has now been demolished, the structural steel is in place and the eco-freindly building with an accent on community, enterprise and training is beginning to take shape. Backed by Centre West and the environmental charity Groundwork (South Tyneside and Newcastle), and funding from One North East and the European Regional Development Fund, the construction programme is on target to complete by the end of 2011.
With its strong architectural features including; a central glass Atrium, striking coloured glass panels and complex shape, the building will undoubtedly be a Beacon within the community. Ainsworth Spark Associates founder and senior Architect, Bill Ainsworth says of his unique design, "The central atrium gives the building its name - 'The Beacon' - a signal, gathering and calling point for the community and a visually arresting presence within the whole of the West End."
The whole ethos of the building is to provide a facility for local people to learn new skills and be encouraged to look at self employment and business start up as a way to a brighter future.
Externally there are 81 car parking spaces with landscaped and paved areas making the front of the building open and welcoming.
The Ground Floor has as its central core the 109m² Atrium with its glass walls that will house the main reception and is a perfect space to act as a gallery for Art exhibitions. At either side of this space are the Bistro and the Enterprise Centre, a flexible space for those individuals just starting out in setting up their own business or even those with just a good business idea.
Enveloping the main area, separated by a mall, we have the Artisans Units that again are glass fronted. These 12 units are workshop spaces for creative people to make and display their products which we hope will draw the community into the building.
The First Floor is where we have a range of business accommodation for new start and existing businesses. There are offices, a meeting room and break out spaces providing a modern and prime location as a business address - not to mention the additional support on offer.
A training suite is also situated on this floor mixing vocational training with an IT suite to offer a range of programmes for young people and adults to gain qualifications and, with support, explore opportunities for self-employment.
The Second Floor is over 400m² in size and will be the space for events and celebrations of all proportions, from weddings and proms to corporate seminars and business fairs. This space can be used as a single space, accommodating over 350 people or can be split into three separate areas - any combination of which can be hired.
For further information please contact us on:
Tel: 0191 300 1711
Email: thebeacon@centre-west.com
Website: www.thebeaconnewcastle.co.uk
