Work on a former vacant office building at Gosforth’s Regent Centre is three months ahead of schedule and is due to complete in early 2021.

The £5.37 million construction project will see the redevelopment of Eldon House to provide 66 luxury apartments.

Kapex Construction, part of Newcastle-based Morton Group, was appointed by Regent Centre owners Omnia Property Group to deliver the second phase of its residential scheme, with Broadfield Project Management acting as a client representative.

Construction work on the Eldon House development began in March, and will create a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments over eight floors. The extensive redevelopment project was originally due to complete in spring 2021 but, despite lockdown, is scheduled for completion in early 2021.

Work on the scheme involves the complete removal of the existing façade, new cladding of the existing structure, thermal upgrades, a completely new mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) installation and an internal fit-out.

It will be the second ‘office-to-residential’ conversion at the Regent Centre – the first being Northumbria House – and will be available to rent through Omnia Space.

The area is known to be popular with students and employees based within the business park.

Gary Morton, chief executive officer of The Morton Group, says: “The conversion of Eldon House was one of our early tender wins, and we’re particularly pleased that despite lockdown it looks like we will be able to deliver this office to residential development three months ahead of schedule.”

“To be able to repay the trust our client showed in us in our early stages of growth as a company is really important to me. The level of dedication and approach to time, quality and cost is adopted from Senior Management Team right through to the Delivery Team on site. The results speak for themselves.”

Morton says the firm’s track record in converting concrete frame office blocks into sleek, high-quality living spaces is ‘second to none’, with experience gained through the conversion of Eagle Star House into Regents Plaza apartments.

Dave Lovatt, commercial director at Kapex Construction, adds: “It’s exciting to see the progress starting to take shape at Eldon House, which will breathe new life into the 1970s office building and provide much-needed housing in a highly sought-after residential location.”

“In the past, Eldon House has been home to tenants such as Rolls Royce so it’s exciting to prepare the building for a fresh wave of tenants who will benefit from the close proximity to Gosforth High Street and bus and Metro transport links into Newcastle. It will be a thriving space tailored to modern, active lifestyles.”