Keel Square Hotel

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Father Jack Hackett said:
That box thing on the Vaux site is bloody awful. Nowt to do with Keel Square I know but its still manky.
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At the moment I agree, but I'll wait till it's done to cast judgment.
Sad news of the hotel but not surprised. There's been a long list of planned projects cancelled for various reasons.

Spirit of Sunderland building/ holmeside triangle, the court complex, the office complex near trimdon street, the apartments next to the wearmouth bridge, the various things the Sunderland ARC had planned and its gone quiet on the students accommodation next to St Peters.
Should do an image compilation of non-starter projects in Sunderland!

With the 20 year anniversary of Vaux closure approaching, I wouldn't be surprised if Siglions plans fell by the wayside too, along with the move of the civic centre and a new train station.

But it's not all bad news, the bridge is opened and a new road could be built to compliment it. It should help connectivity and the IAMP is happening but won't compliment the city centre. The port also seems to be doing well.....

One thing I hope they don't build is that swinging artwork 'the launch' not a fitting tribute to the shipbuilding heritage imo
.......so it will probably be built
 


MrOompapa said:
I’d like to retract what I said. I was wrong, they are not building the hotel.

Instead all they were doing was putting up an accessible shipping container where you can get information on investing in Sunderland. All work had been cleared thereafter. Clearly, that shows the hotel is nowhere in sight.

That’s really underwhelming and frustrating.
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They were drilling the ground though in several locations away from the container so maybe they are carrying out the ground surveys etc in anticipation of construction starting?
 
20 years of the Vaux debacle and what will we have to show for it? A large shit box and maybe a new Civic Centre instead of the council basing themselves in any one of the many empty office spaces in Sunderland.

Look at the Milburngate development in Durham. The Milburgate shopping centre, the Passport Office and National Savings offices were completely flattened just a couple of years ago and a lot of it will be rebuilt and reopened next year in a radical transformation of what was there before. Loads of bars, restaurants, apartments, offices, TWO cinemas, and a hotel will open. They put us to shame:

Home

:neutral:
 
DJP said:
...instead of the council basing themselves in any one of the many empty office spaces in Sunderland.
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Heard this a few times but I can't think of anywhere that would be large enough in the City Centre. One place I read was the former library, which could be an alternative, but I guess isn't big enough? Where else are there 'many empty offices' that could house the entire council though? Surely it wouldn't be viable to have the council spread out over multiple locations? Being based at Doxy was another one I read but for me that's not great for people who need to visit.
 
Kevsgreat said:
Heard this a few times but I can't think of anywhere that would be large enough in the City Centre. One place I read was the former library, which could be an alternative, but I guess isn't big enough? Where else are there 'many empty offices' that could house the entire council though? Surely it wouldn't be viable to have the council spread out over multiple locations? Being based at Doxy was another one I read but for me that's not great for people who need to visit.
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Seen the local Tory mp suggesting the council move into the old tax offices, completely oblivious to the fact Hays are moving into them. Nice to see he keeps his finger on the pulse.
 
Reptilia said:
Seen the local Tory mp suggesting the council move into the old tax offices, completely oblivious to the fact Hays are moving into them. Nice to see he keeps his finger on the pulse.
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Yeah that one and the old police station are two that came to mind as large unused office spaces in town. While both technically are empty, neither are council owned and both are about to be brought back into use by their owners anyways.

It would help if they were more transparent with their process in choosing a site. We considered X, Y and Z but discounted them for this reason - cost, size, location or whatever. I can see why people will be concerned about the cost and the location, but lets face it, if they're struggling to attract private investment to the site the council can't win. Do they let it sit (for longer), or do they try and put a bit of life into the area and attract investment that way?
 
Kevsgreat said:
Angreed, but it's not finished either. These things are always a little bit off the artist impression type of drawing but I'd imagine it still needs a load of cladding adding to it.

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Yes the cladding isn’t near finished yet, but already it is starting to make it look more impressionable.
 
Kevsgreat said:
Heard this a few times but I can't think of anywhere that would be large enough in the City Centre. One place I read was the former library, which could be an alternative, but I guess isn't big enough? Where else are there 'many empty offices' that could house the entire council though? Surely it wouldn't be viable to have the council spread out over multiple locations? Being based at Doxy was another one I read but for me that's not great for people who need to visit.
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If the council move out of the town centre it would be the final nail in the coffin. Vaux site is a kind of compromise of a win win that no one will appreciate. Thrborivate investment would be great but no fucker wants to so better to make use.
 
Kevsgreat said:
Yeah that one and the old police station are two that came to mind as large unused office spaces in town. While both technically are empty, neither are council owned and both are about to be brought back into use by their owners anyways.

It would help if they were more transparent with their process in choosing a site. We considered X, Y and Z but discounted them for this reason - cost, size, location or whatever. I can see why people will be concerned about the cost and the location, but lets face it, if they're struggling to attract private investment to the site the council can't win. Do they let it sit (for longer), or do they try and put a bit of life into the area and attract investment that way?
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The police station was bought by the council. Dunno if the sale to Hoults has actually gone through yet so they could well still own it. However neither are big enough anyway and not much surrounding land to build extension. Given that refburbing the civic was going to cost more than a brand new building, chances are that converting & extending an existing building wouldnt be cheap either.
 
42 said:
The police station was bought by the council. Dunno if the sale to Hoults has actually gone through yet so they could well still own it. However neither are big enough anyway and not much surrounding land to build extension. Given that refburbing the civic was going to cost more than a brand new building, chances are that converting & extending an existing building wouldnt be cheap either.
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Fair does, they do own it. Hoult's signed an exclusivity agreement on it (Former Gilbridge Police Station site in Sunderland to become £4million business centre) but you're right they don't own it.
 
DJP said:
20 years of the Vaux debacle and what will we have to show for it? A large shit box and maybe a new Civic Centre instead of the council basing themselves in any one of the many empty office spaces in Sunderland.

Look at the Milburngate development in Durham. The Milburgate shopping centre, the Passport Office and National Savings offices were completely flattened just a couple of years ago and a lot of it will be rebuilt and reopened next year in a radical transformation of what was there before. Loads of bars, restaurants, apartments, offices, TWO cinemas, and a hotel will open. They put us to shame:

Home

:neutral:
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Where are these empty office spaces?
 
DJP said:
There's loads at Doxford International for starters and I would imagine some along Wessington Way. Where do you suggest the Civic Centre is relocated too?
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Well neither of those. Civic buildings should be easily accessible to all.

There's nowt of any decent size available at the Riverside as far as I'm aware.

People keep moaning on about "a box" on the Vaux site. They should have a look at what gets nominated for things like The Stirling prize each year. If it's not your cup of tea then you're gonna be disappointed for a while cos unfortunately that's what is in vogue.
 
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DJP said:
There's loads at Doxford International for starters and I would imagine some along Wessington Way. Where do you suggest the Civic Centre is relocated too?
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Civic centre has to be located centrally in the city centre.
 
MrOompapa said:
I’d like to retract what I said. I was wrong, they are not building the hotel.

Instead all they were doing was putting up an accessible shipping container where you can get information on investing in Sunderland. All work had been cleared thereafter. Clearly, that shows the hotel is nowhere in sight.

That’s really underwhelming and frustrating.
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They are mate, there’s a job listed for a PM to work on a new hotel developmentb in Sunderland in November, seen it the other day while I was looking at jobs for the wife. Pretty sure it mentioned it was a Holiday inn, so unless there’s another site for a holiday in I’m sure work will commence there shortly.

Reptilia said:
They were drilling the ground though in several locations away from the container so maybe they are carrying out the ground surveys etc in anticipation of construction starting?
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Part of the job advert, search hotel project manager in google and should come back with the full article.

My Client are a Main Contractor with a turnover in excess of £200m. They work on schemes up to around £40m including both New Build and refurbishment within various different Building sectors.

They are currently looking for a Project Manager to work on a £15m, 140 bed New Build hotel in Sunderland. Enabling works start in October and the scheme will run through to the early part of 2020. They want to start meeting people ASAP with a view to moving forward immediately.

The role will probably work best on a fixed contract for this job - but permanent employment will be considered if you are willing to work anywhere in the UK moving forward.

Previously experience working on hotels would be great but is not essential. New Build experience towards that value is important.
 
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DiscoPants86 said:
They are mate, there’s a job listed for a PM to work on a new hotel developmentb in Sunderland in November, seen it the other day while I was looking at jobs for the wife. Pretty sure it mentioned it was a Holiday inn, so unless there’s another site for a holiday in I’m sure work will commence there shortly.



Part of the job advert, search hotel project manager in google and should come back with the full article.

My Client are a Main Contractor with a turnover in excess of £200m. They work on schemes up to around £40m including both New Build and refurbishment within various different Building sectors.

They are currently looking for a Project Manager to work on a £15m, 140 bed New Build hotel in Sunderland. Enabling works start in October and the scheme will run through to the early part of 2020. They want to start meeting people ASAP with a view to moving forward immediately.

The role will probably work best on a fixed contract for this job - but permanent employment will be considered if you are willing to work anywhere in the UK moving forward.

Previously experience working on hotels would be great but is not essential. New Build experience towards that value is important.
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Did said search & all coming up job no longer available.

According to @Hep this 'Keel Square' doesnt exist & is all just a figment of our immagination :lol::lol:
 
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