AIMING FOR THE STARS
Riverside regeneration project will see the heart of Sunderland transformed into a vibrant mixed-use destination
Sunderland ’ s city centre is transforming and at the heart of this change is Riverside Sunderland , a new urban quarter that is taking shape on the banks of the Wear . Wear Business finds out how this investment framework , which sets out a detailed blueprint for the regeneration of a key city centre quarter , will establish the city as a world-class place to live , work and play .
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“ The most exciting regeneration site in Britain ”.
That is the level of ambition that the city has for its Riverside Sunderland development , an urban regeneration project that will see the heart of Sunderland transformed into a vibrant mixed-use destination .
Set out in a 176-page document that captures a number of groundbreaking projects to reimagine this part of the city , the Masterplan sets out how the council will kick-start the rebirth of a 33.2-hectare site on both sides of the River Wear , creating the UK ’ s first carbon-neutral urban quarter , building 1,000 new homes and creating office space for up to 10,000 workers .
The plan , which has been developed by the council working with a world-class team of regeneration and built-environment specialists , will reinvigorate the city centre , bringing new residents , workers and visitors to the heart of Sunderland , helping to support traders by day and night .
Underpinned by a £ 100m investment commitment from Legal & General – part of its combined £ 160m pledge to this and one other site in the city – the masterplan will create a spectacular city centre destination – a place to live , work and play .
The key features of the masterplan include :
• 1,000 sustainable homes to rent and buy , in four stunning riverside neighbourhoods housing 2,500 residents .
• One million sq ft of modern office space , in a new central business district , providing 8-10,000 new jobs
• A new city centre site for a major life sciences / healthcare facility .
• Plans for a state-of-the-art library and community hub – the Culture House - that will attract 600,000 visitors a year to a new site in Keel Square .
• The upgrading of St Mary ’ s Boulevard into a stylish new main street , and the construction of new connectivity for walkers and cyclists across the River Wear .
• Transformation of Galley ’ s Gill into a superb landscape park , and new green spaces in the heart of the city .
• Smart City infrastructure that will make Sunderland an even better place to live , work and play .
In 2023 , Riverside Sunderland will host the month-long Future Living Expo , a highprofile event which will showcase life in the new urban quarter . UK and international visitors will be drawn to the first of the new neighbourhoods on the former Vaux Brewery site .
“ Riverside Sunderland will transform a part of the city that has vast potential . It ’ s a masterplan that will reinvigorate the city in a wider sense too – creating a place we can be proud to call the heart of Sunderland ,” said Councillor Graeme Miller , leader of Sunderland City Council .
“ It ’ s a vision that we know is deliverable , and that will be truly game-changing for Sunderland . We ’ re aiming high because it ’ s what our residents deserve and it ’ s what the city needs – vision backed by a determination to deliver .”
He added : “ Riverside Sunderland is just the beginning . Sunderland is springing back to life . We ’ re seeing more and more investment flooding into the city .
“ The private sector is alive to the opportunities and that is bringing about transformation at a pace not seen for decades .
“ This will be a ‘ magnet city ’. The masterplan is our blueprint for the development of Sunderland , and we ’ re very proud to be driving it .”
To read the full masterplan , and to keep up to date with the latest developments on Riverside Sunderland , visit riversidesunderland . com or search @ Riversidesund on social media .