'Eyesore': Ex Tyne and Wear Metro headquarters set for major renovations and modernisation
The former headquarters of the Tyne and Wear Metro is in line for major renovations.
Plans have been lodged for a significant refurbishment of Nexus House, the prominent former home of the Metro operator in Newcastle city centre. Nexus moved out of the five-storey building, at the corner of Westgate Road and Saint James Boulevard, last summer to relocate to new offices at the nearby Helix development.
A developer has now lodged plans to modernise Nexus House to improve its appearance and make it a more appealing prospect for potential new tenants. Documents lodged with Newcastle City Council by property firm Ashworth IMS Limited and Sadler Brown Architecture state that the site, which was leased by Nexus from the early 2000s, is “showing signs of age and is to be refurbished to provide modern workplace standards and improve the internal working environment”.
Their plans would see 12 office suites created across the building, accommodating between four and 82, alongside a “contemporary business lounge” and an extension built on the ground floor to provide shower facilities and changing rooms.
The proposals also include the replacement of “eyesore” air conditioning units and improvements to the external appearance of the building, with bigger windows and new cladding. The planning application argues that the changes will “significantly increase the functionality, visual quality, and market appeal of the building, helping to attract and retain local businesses”.
It states: “The proposed development at Nexus House has been thoughtfully designed to respond positively to its prominent location within the Central Conservation Area, balancing the need for high-quality modernisation with sensitivity to local character, scale, and form.
“The refurbishment and ground floor rear extension aim to enhance the overall appearance and functionality of the building while ensuring that it continues to make a positive contribution to the surrounding townscape.
“The external design includes a sensitive enhancement of the existing façade to create a more contemporary, refined appearance that remains sympathetic to the architectural style of the area.”
Nexus said last year that, while its move to The Spark created a £700,000 budget pressure in 2025/26, the relocation to a smaller, more energy-efficient space would save money in the long-term.