It was once the home of one of Tyneside’s best nights outs - and soon the former Baja Beach Club will have some of the coolest offices in the North East.
Where thousands once packed in to dance the night away at the beach-themed nightclub, desks with unrivalled views across the River Tyne will soon line up amid plans to transform it into swanky offices.
Last year, 10 years after bar staff called time at the Gateshead venue, Newcastle developers Adderstone Group snapped up the 17,500sqft building and started work on breathing new life into the building.
There had been hopes that the building would be turned into a new bar or restaurant, but the firm said it was much more likely the site would be converted into plush offices.
Now the firm has enlisted Newcastle’s Ryder Architecture to draw up stunning images which show how it would look in its new guise, as the renamed Pipewell Studios.
Plans have been submitted to Gateshead Council to convert the building into offices, together with a range of images.
The building itself is set to be changed to sit alongside the neighbouring Pipewellgate House, the historic building which was once home to the River Police Station, to create “a visual link in form and materials”.
Documents submitted by Ryder Architecture said: “The proposal seeks to establish premium workplace accommodation that will promote and support the developing business community and redevelopment of the industrial riverside landscape.
“The proposals positively respond to the social, geographical and historic relationships of the surrounding area.
“Pipewell Studios offers a distinctive opportunity to provide a landmark development within the Tyne Gorge riverside that will contribute to the continuing redevelopment of industrial quayside linking this part of the river with other key developments.
“Panoramic views across the river to Newcastle create interesting and ever changing vistas with rich architectural features, from the quayside up to the city centre horizon.
"The three bridges, High Level, Swing and New Tyne – create major thoroughfares to Gateshead and Newcastle both by road and rail and add to the strong sense of place of the east.
"The Sage Gateshead, Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Baltic the Centre for Contemporary Art add to the dynamic, panoramic views across the river.”
When Adderstone Group bought the building last summer, chief executive Ian Baggett said: “Older members of our team are very excited about the prospect of bringing the world-famous Baja Beach Club back to life, albeit the dancing is more likely to be around photocopiers than the surf bar.”
