Lendlease has been appointed by Gateshead Council’s development partner Ask:PATRIZIA, to deliver The Sage International Conference Centre at Gateshead Quays. 

The 61,440 sqm riverside scheme amendments included re-location of the 344-room dual branded hotel to an adjacent site and the subsequent creation of an urban park utilising the remaining space which will create a pedestrian link from the Millennium Bridge up to Hawks Road. 

With a GDV of £150m, The Sage International Conference Centre will be delivered in the first phase of the scheme and will include 5,720 sqm state of the art exhibition space, 2,520 sqm adaptable meeting space, 17 conference rooms and a banqueting suite. The first phase will also include the hotel and urban park.

David Cadiot, Executive General Manager of UK Regions for Lendlease, said: “Lendlease has a track record of building, designing and project managing some of the world’s greatest sporting and entertainment venues. We’ll bring the know how to create an exceptional venue, one which local people will be hugely proud to have on their doorstep.” 

On completion The Sage International Conference Centre will be operated by ASM Global. The revised plans for the relocated hotel were granted planning permission in March 2023 and Russell WBHO has been appointed as contractor on the £48m building, which will be operated by Accor under its Novotel and ibis brands. The delivery of The Sage ICC will be followed by The Sage Arena which will also be operated by ASM Global, and it will be completed under a separate construction contract. In January 2023, the scheme was awarded £20m from central government’s Levelling Up Fund Round 2