Monkwearmouth Development (MDL) – a joint venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures (SRMCV) and Argon Property Development Solutions (APDS) – has been awarded the task of delivering a new entrance and ‘state-of-the-art’ office building at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland.
Sir Robert McAlpine will be carrying out the construction of a 3,237 m2 three-storey building for MDL. The construction works commenced last month, and are scheduled to be completed in January 2024. MDL is working with NTW Solutions, a limited company established by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, to provide premises that will enable NTW Solutions to deliver improved facilities and a range of important services to the Trust, which is one of England’s largest mental health and disability Trusts.
Just a stone’s throw from the city centre, the building will provide a welcoming front entrance to the main outpatient facilities on the existing site. In addition to the new entrance, reception area. and public café, the new accommodation will include flexible open-plan workspaces and breakout areas, with consultants’ administrative offices on upper floors – all of which the contractor says will ‘create the perfect post-pandemic office’ for employees. The building will also house a new administration hub, and crisis call services for the hospital, plus a new community café for employees and visitors.
In addition to a replacement tree-lined staff car park, the development proposals also include level access and ‘a beautifully landscaped’ piazza area and memorial garden – transforming the existing parking area that fronts onto Newcastle Road. The Hospital’s new ‘front door’ will create far better connectivity within the estate for hospital users and visitors, says Sir Robert McAlpine.
MDL was appointed through SRMCV’s place on Pagabo’s Developer-Led Framework, a nationwide procurement framework for public sector organisations that focuses on delivering social value for each development.
Mark Gibson, Regional Managing Director at Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We’re really pleased to be working on a development that will support much-needed mental health provision in the area, creating spaces that are more accessible for hospital users, and allow for more productive work by essential workers in the building.”