Accor has announced that it will bring its Novotel and Ibis brands to the £260 million Newcastle Gateshead Quays development.
Accor has signed an agreement with Gateshead council, its development partners Ask Real Estate and investment manager Ask:Patrizia to open a dual-branded hotel on the quayside of the mixed-use development.
The 14-storey hotel will be designed by AHR Architects, and is expected to open in 2024. It will be located next to the new 12,500-capacity international Arena, Conference and Exhibition Centre which was approved by Gateshead Council last year.
The 187-room Novotel Gateshead Quays Hotel will feature the brand’s new public space and bedroom design concept which is set to be unveiled later this year, along with meeting and conference facilities, a gym, and a restaurant with views over Newcastle and the River Tyne. Meanwhile, the Ibis Gateshead Quays Hotel will comprise 140 rooms, and a “vibrant public space and lounge”.
Philip Lassman, VP Development, Accor Northern Europe, commented:
“This is an excellent opportunity for Accor to be part of an area which has such strong character and identity. Gateshead Quays has undergone a huge transformation in the last fifteen years and is now considered a thriving cultural destination with over one million visitors a year, making it an exciting regeneration scheme to be part of.
“Our dual branded hotel is a fantastic prospect for Gateshead and Newcastle. It will be the first ibis branded hotel in the area and this will be just our second new-look Novotel concept hotel in the UK. The new development will not only be a feat in terms of creating a cohesion to the whole quayside location but it will also bring a significant amount of new investment to the area including job creation. We are working closely with Ask:PATRIZIA and Gateshead Council to deliver a high quality development which will bring significant economic benefit, providing domestic and international visitors with a superb city centre location. By bringing both the Novotel and ibis brands to the city we are catering for anyone visiting the area, no matter what their budget.”
Sheena Ramsey, Chief Executive of Gateshead Council, added:
“This is another major milestone met for the Quays project. We’re pleased to have secured Accor’s Novotel and Ibis brands for the complex bringing a completely new offer to NewcastleGateshead, this will be the first dual brand hotel in the region with a physical link between the hotels and the conference centre for major events.”
Developer Sir Robert McAlpine has been appointed to deliver the Newcastle Gateshead Quays regeneration scheme, and the property will be managed by Vine Hotels on behalf of Gateshead Council. Cushman and Wakefield advised Ask:Patrizia and the Council throughout the hotel brand and operator selection process.
