North East Workspace

Silicon Alley is a North East Workspace development.

North East Workspace is a subsidiary of the enterprise and economic development agency Project North East, specialising in the redevelopment of redundant buildings into practical and desirable premises for small businesses.

Project North East (PNE) was founded in 1980 to help with the economic regeneration of north eastern England by encouraging and supporting the creation and development of small businesses. Realising that the business property market was failing to provide suitable premises, PNE soon started developing workspace to make affordable, unitised, managed workspace available for small and micro businesses.

The earliest developments include working with the Burton Group to transform a one-time chocolate factory into the Design Works workspace, conference and exhibition centre, and the conversion of run-down property in Newcastle's Low Friar Street into the country's first Youth Enterprise Centre.

The first property to be redeveloped by North East Workspace in "Silicon Alley" was Number One Pink Lane. At the time, the only thing hi-tech about the site was the computer training facilities; the emphasis was on business accommodation. Since then, a triangle of development on Pink Lane and Westgate Road has taken place, one building at a time but with an overall plan in mind.

Where possible, North East Workspace retains the fabric of the buildings and preserves original features of the properties being redeveloped. However, some changes have to be made. For example, the original Silicon Alley site was quite dark and gloomy but the creation of a central courtyard has brought in light and provided parking facilities.

North East Workspace continue to develop properties for managed workspace. Our particular experience of developing themed facilities (e.g. to house youth enterprise activity or businesses in the creative industries) means that we are often called upon to consult on projects in the UK and overseas.

If you want to know more about the work of North East Workspace, please read our expanded company page or contact us by telephone,
within the UK on: (0191) 230 6407 or (0191) 230 6406
from overseas: +44 191 230 6407 or +44 191 230 6406

There's more about the history of the Silicon Alley site in the History section.