Pilgrim’s Quarter stands as one of the most significant developments delivered in the North East in recent decades, a landmark in Newcastle city centre and a worthy winner of the CoStar Impact Award for the region's commercial development of the year, as judged by an independent panel.
The completion and handover of the new 463,000-square-foot regional headquarters for HM Revenue and Customs – the government tax department – is the culmination of an ambitious vision to reposition Pilgrim Street as a modern, vibrant commercial district of national importance.
About the project: Delivered ahead, the landmark office will accommodate around 9,000 HMRC staff, making it the department’s largest regional hub in the UK. As the centrepiece of the wider Pilgrim’s Quarter scheme, the building provides the critical mass required to drive sustained economic activity, footfall and confidence across the city centre, reinforcing Newcastle’s role as a major government and employment hub.
The development occupies a full city block and has been designed to integrate contemporary, large‑scale office accommodation with the historic fabric of the city. The sensitive incorporation of the Grade II listed Carliol House façade demonstrates how heritage assets can be preserved and celebrated while delivering best‑in‑class workspace.
Developed by Reuben Brothers (Newcastle) Limited the project brings together long‑term public‑sector commitment, private‑sector investment and design excellence.
Pilgrim’s Quarter acts as a catalyst for the wider Pilgrim Street regeneration, supporting new commercial, leisure and hospitality uses and helping to rebalance Newcastle’s urban core. It sets a new benchmark for large‑scale office development outside London and demonstrates how strategic investment can reshape a city.
What the judges said: Keith Stewart, managing partner at Naylors Gavin Black, said: "This development underpins key investment into the city and brings to life an area that has required investment for some considerable time. A lot of time and effort over the years has now come to fruition and the parties involved deserve a lot of credit."
They made it happen: David Reuben, co-founder, Reuben Brothers, owner; Christopher Kirkland, Director, Bowmer + Kirkland, architect.