An historic Grade-II listed building has proven a huge hit among the region’s business community after undergoing a major £3 million overhaul.
The River Wear Commissioners Building was originally opened in 1907 to oversee activity on the River Wear but is now driving economic activity of a wholly different sort, after being lovingly converted into a modern business hub.
Retaining its original features and décor, the transformation of one of the city’s most culturally rich buildings into an energy-efficient, state-of-the art business centre has been overseen by its new owner Adavo Workspace.
The building’s ground, first, and second floors now comprise 48 office suites, whilst the magnificent first-floor board room boasts a superb, original, mounded marble fireplace and an impressive arched ceiling.
Mark Black, CEO of Adavo Workspace said: “The Commissioners Building is a hugely important cultural icon for the city, and we’ve been delighted by the response it has received from not only the business community, but also local people who have commented on the building since work completed.
“Historically, the Commissioners Building was a hive of business activity and a source of substantial wealth for the city, so it’s great to see that, many years on, it is continuing to be a great place for businesses to get off the ground and grow into future Sunderland success stories, supporting the region’s burgeoning economy.”
The River Wear Commissioners Building officially opened its doors last year and 20 of the 48 units have already been snapped up since being brought to market by leading North East chartered surveyors and estate agents, Bradley Hall.
Helen Wall, senior surveyor at Bradley Hall said: “Sunderland is a city benefitting from an extensive regeneration programme, with unprecedented investment over the coming years to further support economic growth and create over 20,000 jobs.
“Located in the heart of the city centre, the Commissioners Building is a superb Grade II listed period building in a high-profile position, enjoying excellent transport links to the main east arterial routes of the A19 and the A1(M).
“The city is fast becoming a vibrant and exciting hub of enterprise and with regeneration projects such as The Commissioner’s Building coming to fruition, we are confident that more and more businesses will continue to be attracted to the economic magnet that Sunderland is fast becoming.”
Wastefront AS, a Norwegian green energy start-up investing over £100 million into a world-first tyre recycling facility at Port of Sunderland is one of the companies to have taken up space in the Wear Commissioners Building.
Vianney Vales, CEO of Wastefront AS, said: “Sunderland is an outstanding place to do business – that’s why we’ve opened an office in the Wear Commissioners Building and have chosen Port of Sunderland for our £100m plant. The city’s rich heritage and proud industrial history, and its resurgence as a hub for science and technology, make for an encouraging and innovative business culture. The future is very bright for the city, and we’re delighted to be involved.”
Another company to relocate to the Wear Commissioners Building is YNOT, a video and creative agency founded by four University of Sunderland graduates in 2018. The agency now produces corporate videos for companies across the UK, including BoyleSports, Sky Sports, SCS and the NHS. Anthony Fenton, managing director and co-owner, said: “Ynot were looking for a new base to set up as the company continues to grow and the Commissioners Building offered up great facilities and spaces to match our ambitions as a company. We are all from Sunderland and to be so central to the city centre is great for us.”
For general enquiries in relation to the Commissioners Building or to arrange a viewing, please contact: Helen Wall or Emma Bowater at Bradley Hall via 0191 563 4242 or helen.wall@bradleyhall.co.uk or emma.bowater@bradleyhall.co.uk
