Spanish City regeneration
Get in touch
Summary
Restoring a landmark in Whitley Bay
Robertson has brought about the restoration of the iconic Spanish City Dome in Whitley Bay. As well as developing a new Premier Inn and restaurant in the area, we have returned the landmark Dome itself to its former glory.
The project, for North Tyneside Council, was procured through the Scape National Major Works framework. Scape Group is a public sector owned built environment specialist offering a full suite of national frameworks and innovative design solutions.
Newcastle architects ADP worked with consultants Mott MacDonald and North Tyneside Council on the designs, and the entire project team came together to turn the building into a visitor destination that forms the centrepiece of the council's £36m regeneration of Whitley Bay.
Reinstating original features
Tall, decorative tops and cupolas have been rebuilt to the 1910 design, using archive images and drawings as reference, while shopfronts, doors and windows have been reinstated in keeping with the look of the Edwardian Grade II listed building. The Dome's original features have been recreated on the promenade elevation, with repairs to the first floor corridors, which are located either side of a three-storey central block supporting the rotunda. The corridors are enclosed with glass so that they can be used all year around.
Robertson Specialist Division applied external wall insulation and a white Sto render finish that has returned the Dome's appearance to its former glory.
Robertson Engineering Services provided M&E for the project.
Working with the local authority, we have created an ambitious community engagement plan, which will involve all sectors of the local community as well as supporting local businesses and providing job opportunities for local people.
Restoration of historic Spanish City Dome
Completing the project has been a proud moment for Robertson. To celebrate this we created a special video. Rare archive footage from 1935 shows the building in its heyday, followed by its subsequent dilapidation, and finally its restoration in 2018.
An award-winning project
- Construction News 2019 - Project of the Year (under £20m) - Highly Commended
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) North East awards 2019 - Tourism and Leisure, and Regeneration category
- Insider North East Property Awards 2019 - Refit/Refurbishment of the Year
- RIBA North East Regional Award 2019 - for architects ADP
- LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Northern Region Building Excellence Awards 2019 - Best Change of Use of an Existing Building or Conversion
- CENE (Constructing Excellence North East) 2019 - Building Project of the Year - Highly Commended
- RICS awards 2019 Grand Final - Tourism and Leisure, and Regeneration category
- FX Design Awards 2019 – Best Mixed Use Development
