Major revamp delivers wellbeing-focused workspace on the Quays
A £1.85m refurbishment has been completed at Baltic Works on Gateshead Quays, re-establishing the ten-storey, 131,000 sq ft, Grade A office building as a facilities-rich base for employers and staff. The scheme, formerly known as Baltic Place, has been overhauled and rebranded by landlord South Shore Developments to reflect changing expectations of office space, with a package of upgrades aimed at health, convenience and collaboration.
The five-month programme was delivered by Robertson Construction North East as main contractor. Newly installed amenities include a 24/7 gym, changing rooms, a landscaped courtyard with new seating and planting, and a self-serve micro market for food and drinks. The building now also offers EV charging points in both the surface and basement car parks, available around the clock to occupiers.
Baltic Works already counts a number of major names among its tenants, including Santander, Northern Gas & Power, and insurance and risk management firms Gallagher and Lockton. The landlord said the upgrades were guided by occupier needs and intended to keep the property competitive in a market where flexibility and employee experience are driving location decisions.
“For almost two decades Baltic Works has been a key landmark on Gateshead Quay. With occupier requirements at the core of its offering, the refurbishment reflects the changing dynamics of the office environment, and the building remains an excellent option for occupiers who are looking to give their employees access to elevated facilities.”
Sir Bill Robertson of South Shore Developments set the tone for the refresh, which aims to secure long-term demand by aligning with hybrid working patterns and the growing emphasis on on-site wellbeing. The contractor, which also occupies space in the building, said the design brief was shaped by how businesses now use their offices.
“As both main contractor and occupier, it was important that the spaces we helped create reflected how businesses want to use office environments today. The refurbishment has delivered modern spaces that encourage collaboration, wellbeing and productivity.”
What’s new inside Baltic Works
The refurbishment focuses on practical amenities that support daily use and encourage staff to spend more time on site. Key additions and improvements include:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Fitness | 24/7 gym with supporting changing rooms |
| Outdoor space | Landscaped courtyard, new seating and planting |
| Convenience | Self-serve micro market for food and drinks |
| Transport | EV charging points in surface and basement car parks, 24/7 for occupiers |
Local context and occupier appeal
For Gateshead, the upgrade consolidates a prominent Quayside building’s role in the town’s commercial mix. With established corporate tenants already in place, the addition of wellness and convenience-led features strengthens the case for firms weighing the benefits of a central location with round-the-clock access and on-site services. The emphasis on shared spaces and end-of-trip facilities reflects a broader shift in office design, where collaboration areas and amenities are increasingly seen as essential to attracting staff back to the workplace.
While the landlord has not announced new lettings, the scale of the £1.85m investment and the decision to rebrand suggest a long-term commitment to the site and its visibility on the Quays. For existing occupiers, the immediate benefit is access to upgraded facilities without disruption to the location or transport links they already use. For prospective tenants, the presence of multiple blue-chip names provides a signal of confidence in the building’s offer.
Why it matters
Employers are reassessing their property needs as working patterns evolve. Buildings that can offer reliable services, modern communal areas and amenities such as 24/7 fitness access and EV charging are increasingly in demand. For Gateshead, projects of this type help sustain the town’s economic base by maintaining high-quality workspace options on the Quays and supporting the wider business ecosystem.
- Investment: £1.85m refurbishment and rebrand to support contemporary office use.
- Amenities: 24/7 gym, changing facilities, courtyard, micro market and EV charging.
- Occupiers: Existing tenants include Santander, Northern Gas & Power, Gallagher and Lockton.
