Over £390k to be invested in transforming former architect’s office in Newcastle into new homes

An empty building, which architect Ralph Erskine once used to coordinate the transformation of the Grade-II listed Byker Wall Estate, is to be converted into a new homes development.

The two-story building in Brinkburn Street Byker, which has stood empty for almost two years, is to be renamed Ralph Erskine House in his honour.

The building previously operated as the central design hub for Erskine and his team while they were working on the redevelopment of the Byker Estate.

The Byker Community Trust (BCT) housing association, which owns and manages over 1,800 homes on the Estate, is now converting the building into four, two-bedroom apartments.

The project is expected to be completed by November 2018.

BCT, which acquired the building from Newcastle City Council, is investing £393,300 in converting it into new homes for older people. This scheme will help to meet the city’s increasing demand for affordable housing.

An Empty Homes Grant of £120k was awarded by Homes England to support the initiative.

Originally built as a funeral parlour in the 1900s, the building was converted into an office in 1969 to facilitate redevelopment of the Byker Estate. The office acted as main focal point between Newcastle City Council, the Byker community and Erskine’s design team.

In 1975, a large hot air balloon mural was painted on the Brinkburn Street building by Erskine and his team.

As part of the conversion, BCT is searching for a local artist to take the lead on recreating a mural of Erskine’s visual signature, a hot air balloon, on one of the outside walls of the building.

Jill Haley, Chief Executive at Byker Community Trust, said: “Walking around Byker you realise that Erskine’s vision was to create something of social worth. He was revolutionary in his time, by basing himself on the Estate to consult with people face to face and ensuring that they were at the heart of his design plans.

“Continuing in the spirit of community involvement, we wish to invite local artists to be a part of an exciting project. We are looking to recreate Erskine’s iconic hot air balloon visual signature on the side of his old office, as a tribute to him.

“It will be a great opportunity for a local person to make a lasting impression, a gesture that I’m confident Ralph Erskine would have liked.”