By 2024, Sunderland’s cityscape will be undergoing the most rapid period of change in living memory.

The UK’s most ambitious regeneration project, Riverside Sunderland, is gathering pace. New buildings are rising from the ground while the city’s unpolished gems – heritage buildings that had fallen into disrepair – are shining once again.

Now, the city sets its sights on the projects it intends to take forward by 2024, as Riverside Sunderland moves into its next phase.

Just a few short years ago, the former Vaux Brewery site stood barren. A gaping hole in the city centre, having once been an industrial heart, where beer that was pumped out in bars around the world was brewed.

Now, it’s a new inviting landscape that is beginning to form. A cityscape befitting of the ambitious place Sunderland now is, two striking buildings stand proudly on the site, piercing the skyline and marking the intent of the council as it drives ahead with its plans. But this is merely the start.

Riverside Sunderland – led by the council – has aims unlike any masterplan seen before in Sunderland. And unlike those of the dim and distant past, this is a vision that is deliveryfocused and – for the most part – funded.

“The investment is there and the vision is there,” explains Peter McIntyre, executive director of city development. “This is a delivery plan – not a masterplan. It’s happening now, and by 2024, there will be undeniable change right across the site, from the former Vaux Brewery site at the heart, to the Crowtree site and from Farringdon Row to Sheepfolds. The whole footprint of this important city centre site will be changing.”

Peter is confident. And he has every right to be. In 2019, the council revealed it had the backing of Legal & General, to the tune of £100m, which would deliver three important buildings on the Riverside site. First, City Hall, which now stands as a remarkable f lagship. And then two further commercial buildings, Maker and Faber, set to open their doors in 2024. “2024 is a key moment for us,” says Peter, who leads the team behind the city’s transformation.

“We’ll see new office buildings opening, we’ll see new pedestrian routes bringing communities together and an extension of the city centre, as well as health buildings, leisure spaces, and homes appearing that will make this the most exciting place to live work and play. And these are all committed investments that we know will be underway or in train within the next three years. 2024 will be a milestone for us, with a huge amount of visible change.

“All of this investment will create thousands of new jobs for people in Sunderland as well as a city centre to be proud of.”

1. Vaux Neighbourhood and Expo Sunderland – The first of Riverside Sunderland’s new neighbourhoods will deliver 132 homes by 2024. They will be the focal point of Expo
   Sunderland, a festival which will showcase the city living lifestyle – healthy, green and sustainable – that Riverside Sunderland will offer.

2. New Wear Crossing – a spectacular new bridge for walkers and cyclists will span the River Wear between Vaux and Sheepfolds, linking Keel Square to the Stadium of Light.

3. The Stables – the Grade-II listed North Eastern Railway Stables will be restored, creating 8 units for
   food, drink and shopping arranged around two courtyards which will host concerts, pop up events, markets and other activities.

4. Housing Innovation & Construction Skills Academy – delivered by the
   City Council in partnership with Sunderland College and the Ministry
   of Building Innovation + Education (MOBIE), in collaboration with the
   Offsite Alliance and a range of other industry and regional partners, HICSA
   will create a purpose-built, zerocarbon learning centre to promote the development and practical
   application of modern methods of construction (MMC) in new homes, retrofitting of existing housing stock, and the use of sustainable energy and smart technology.

5. Maker & Faber – Work on the prestigious Maker & Faber office development will get under way in 2022. Together, the two buildings will deliver 200,000 sq ft of Grade A space on an outstanding site
   overlooking the River Wear.

6. St Mary’s Boulevard – strengthening the connection between the core retail area, Keel Square and
   new developments in Riverside Sunderland, St Mary’s will be transformed into a stylish city street,
   using reclaimed road space to createa linear park and establish a sense of enclosure.

7. Keel Square Hotel – A 120-room, 4-star Holiday Inn will open in 2022,
   bringing life back to a long-derelict site on the east side of Keel Square.
   Developed by the Cairn Group, the new hotel – which will have ground
   floor units for cafes and restaurants – will animate the square and improve
   the connection to High Street West.

8. The Yard – in a prime location next to Keel Square, the striking former Gilbridge Police Station is
   being refurbished by the North East developer Hanro to create a modern business centre. The Yard
   will offer units ranging from 500 to 6,000 sq feet; it will cater for startups, growth companies and SMEs, complementing new-build office space in the central business district,
   and boosting Sunderland’s business birth rate.

9. Culture House – this outstanding 80,000 sq ft building designed by architects FaulknerBrowns will open in 2024, creating “a living room in the heart of city”. This spectacular cultural venue will include a new city library, as well as a range of spaces for learning, making and creating in a
   unique, immersive environment.

10. Sunderland Eye Hospital – the new facility will be the only standalone eye hospital in the north east,
    and one of only a few specialist ophthalmology centres in England. The new building, designed by Ryde architects following extensive public consultation, has to meet exacting clinical requirements and will also make a positive contribution to the Riverside Sunderland townscape.

11. Farringdon Row South – the former industrial site on the west side of Galley’s Gill will be home to the
    second residential neighbourhood in Riverside Sunderland and will be connected to Vaux by the refurbished Gill Bridge. A development of 163 homes is proposed, with views across the Wear and the regenerated Riverside Park. A 650-space multistorey car park will be built on land
    immediately to the south, catering
    for residents, business and leisure
    visitors.

12. Galley’s Gill – The 13.7 hectare Riverside Park will be created on former industrial land on both banks
    of the River Wear. It comprises the valley of Galley’s Gill, as well as the
    deep gorge that drives through
    the heart of the city and areas of
    established woodland.

To find out more about this committed investment and wider plans for the city centre, visit
www.riversidesunderland.co.uk to see the newly published update to the Riverside Sunderland
investment plan.