Accor chooses Gateshead for new dual branded hotel

Accor, the leading hospitality group, is bringing its internationally renowned Novotel and ibis brands to the £260m NewcastleGateshead Quays regeneration scheme.

The agreement with Gateshead Council, its development partners Ask Real Estate and independent investment manager, PATRIZIA (Ask:PATRIZIA), will see the dual branded hotel established on the quayside of the 587,000 sq ft development. Designed by AHR Architects the 172,000 sq ft hotel forms a central part of the arena-led, mixed-use scheme on Gateshead’s waterfront. Vine Hotels will undertake the management of the hotels on behalf of the Council.

Sir Robert McAlpine is appointed to deliver the scheme, including the hotel, with construction expected to start in Spring for an anticipated opening in 2024.

The 187-room Novotel will feature the global brand’s newest public space and bedroom design concept, due to be launched later this year, in addition to state of the art meeting rooms and conference facilities, a gym and restaurant with views over Newcastle and the River Tyne. Novotel provides its guests with forward-looking design that encapsulates elegance, modernity and simplicity.

The 140-room ibis hotel will feature a vibrant public space and lounge. As a dual branded hotel, the 14-storey Accor property will cater to a broad range of customers, from those looking for accommodation on a budget to corporate, leisure and family guests seeking a more comprehensive offering.

Speaking about the new signing, Philip Lassman, VP Development, Accor Northern Europe commented: “This is an excellent opportunity for Accor to be part of an area which has such strong character and identity. Gateshead Quays has undergone a huge transformation in the last fifteen years and is now considered a thriving cultural destination with over one million visitors a year, making it an exciting regeneration scheme to be part of.

“Our dual branded hotel is a fantastic prospect for Gateshead and Newcastle. It will be the first ibis branded hotel in the area and this will be just our second new-look Novotel concept hotel in the UK. The new development will not only be a feat in terms of creating a cohesion to the whole quayside location but it will also bring a significant amount of new investment to the area including job creation. We are working closely with Ask:PATRIZIA and Gateshead Council to deliver a high quality development which will bring significant economic benefit, providing domestic and international visitors with a superb city centre location. By bringing both the Novotel and ibis brands to the city we are catering for anyone visiting the area, no matter what their budget.”

The hotel will be developed adjacent to the new 12,500 capacity international Arena, Conference and Exhibition Centre which was approved by Gateshead Council last year and which will be operated by ASM Global. The scheme will see the creation of around 2,000 new jobs in the region and is expected to attract more than 338,000 additional visitors to the region each year giving a £60m annual boost to the local economy.

Commenting on behalf of Ask:PATRIZIA, Daniel Williams, Head of Development for PATRIZIA UK and Ireland, said: “Our purpose at PATRIZIA is to build communities and sustainable futures. We are confident that with the arrival of this new dual branded hotel Gateshead will receive a real boost in terms of visitor numbers. Now that we have planning permission, we are very much focused on making a swift start on site.”

Cushman & Wakefield’s Hospitality team advised Ask:PATRIZIA and the Council throughout the hotel brand and operator selection process. Richard Candey, Partner within the Hospitality team at Cushman & Wakefield said: “The award of the hotel contract followed a rigorous and highly competitive selection process, managed by Cushman & Wakefield, with incredibly strong responses from global hoteliers and management companies.”

Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive, Gateshead Council said: "This is another major milestone met for the Quays project. We're pleased to have secured Accor's Novotel and Ibis brands for the complex bringing a completely new offer to NewcastleGateshead, this will be the first dual brand hotel in the region with a physical link between the hotels and the conference centre for major events."

Award-winning global architect, HOK, has designed the overall masterplan for the site, conference and exhibition centre and arena while AHR Architects are designing the state of the art hotel. The project team also includes: Project Manager and Contract Administrator - Legends International; Planning Consultants - Lichfields; Landscape Architects - Planit:IE; Quantity Surveyors - Gardiner and Theobald; Structural Engineers and M&E – ARUP; and Vectos for transport planning.