The Reuben Brothers have boosted their Newcastle city centre property portfolio after snapping up a historic shopping and leisure arcade – their second big city acquisition in less than 18 months.
The billionaire brothers bought luxury retail building Monument Mall in 2021, using their property investment vehicle Motcomb Estates to buy the property. Now it has emerged the entrepreneurs’ same investment company has swooped for neighbouring Central Exchange, the Grade II-listed triangular retail and arcade property in the shadow of Grey’s Monument, which went up for sale in the summer for £11.75m.
The building was marketed by Clifton Agency, the same property experts who sold Monument Mall to the Reuben Brothers in May 2021, who said the sale was completed significantly above its asking price. Agents said Motcomb Estates came up against local and national bids for the building, which has 22 shops, and that bidding was extremely competitive.
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Clifton Agency was acting on behalf of vendors Royal London Asset Management (RLAM).
The landmark deal means the Reuben Brothers now own a large share of Newcastle city centre land and property, with Monument Mall and Central Exchange’s ownership sitting directly next to its £100m-plus developments taking shape in Pilgrim Street.
The real estate entrepreneurs own the entire Pilgrim Street site, stretching from the former Odeon Cinema plot down to Swan House roundabout. Construction teams are now on site with the three-phase scheme to regenerate the East Pilgrim Street area, which will eventually create a raft of retail, leisure and office schemes to completely reconfigure the entrance to the city.
More than 9,000 HMRC workers will eventually move into new offices called Pilgrim’s Quarter where the Odeon Cinema once sat, while a number of offices and an underground car park will dominate Bank House Square at the end of the street, on the former Bank of England plot.
Between those office developments, work to restore and refurbish listed buildings at Worswick Chambers and the adjacent 93-101 Pilgrim Street will provide homes for new bars and restaurants, alongside the creation of a new hotel within the former fire station.
Its newest acquisition Central Exchange will net a sizeable chunk of rent. The deal sees Motcomb Estates take on the building’s basement, ground and first floors, including the ornate Edwardian shopping arcade. The second, third and fourth floors have been previously sold off on long leaseholds.
The building has been a much-loved focal point of the city’s Grainger Town area since the 1830s, and was originally built in 1837 but had to be rebuilt in the early 20th century after a fire in 1906. Tenants include JG Windows, Cafe Andaluz, Grey St Opticians, Naked Deli, Bluebird, Cote Brasserie and Greggs, which collectively bring in more than £1.06m in operating income each year.
The former Gloria Jean’s Coffees unit – where Pret a Manger traded for many years – is also under offer, having been taken back by previous landlords at the start of June, and there’s also potential to transform first floor offices for alternative uses.
While marketing the property Clifton Agency said its represented the chance for investors to acquire a historic trophy asset in the heart of Newcastle, at a time when new developments are expected to increase footfall in the area.
The company’s marketing materials say: "The arrival of 9,000 staff into the new 463,000 sq ft regional centre will increase footfall past the subject property and enhance the vitality and viability of the nearby city centre retail core. The city’s thriving nightlife is estimated to be worth £340m per year and is a major contributor to Newcastle’s economy.
"The subject property comprises a prime island site in Newcastle city centre. Bordered by Grey Street, Grainger Street and Market Street, the property is perfectly placed between the 100% prime retail pitch at Northumberland Street and infamous Newcastle leisure pitch.”
Following the deal, Ben Simpson of Clifton Agency said: "Having grown up in Newcastle it was a real pleasure to advise Royal London on the disposal of this historic and extremely well known local landmark. To achieve such a positive result in a challenging market was a real testament to everyone involved in the sale. After strong competitive interest, the preferred bidder paid significantly above the asking price to secure this landmark freehold property.”
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