A South Shields landmark building is to be given a new lease of life with a £1.2 million refurbishment.

South Tyneside House in Westoe Road was formerly the old Co-Op department store before being latterly used as office space. The four storey building has lain vacant for two years while a major asbestos removal programme has been carried out.

After refurbishment the building will provide nearly 20,000 sq ft of new accommodation over four floors. There will be five high-tech open plan office suites for rent ranging from 1937 square feet to 4,585 sq ft. The work is being carried out by Gateshead based Koru Property Services and includes raised floors to accommodate flexibility for IT provision and power, cat II lighting, air conditioning and full disabled access. The front of the building is also to have a make-over incorporating replacement windows and a brand new entrance. The rear of the building has been partially demolished and will be replaced with a full height extension, housing a new lift. The roof has also been totally replaced. Tony Henderson of Koru Property Services said, “We are delighted to be working on the restoration of such a landmark building”.

“Koru has considerable experience in bringing old, out of date buildings back to life using traditional skills and resources. Fergus Laird, of Naylors Chartered Surveyors, who is handling the marketing of the property added, The refurbishment of South Tyneside House will provide an extremely high specification development in a prime location, close to the Town Hall. As a result we expect interest to be high”. Rents in the region of £14 per sq ft are currently being sought, for further information contact Fergus Laird at Naylors on 0191 2327030.