Plans have been unveiled for a new hotel on a developing Newcastle science and business park.
The 160-bed hotel is set to be developed on the Helix site, close to Newcastle United's St James' Park ground.
Dutch firm Vastint Hospitality has unveiled the £18m development, which would operate as a Moxy Hotel, a new brand of the global Marriott group.
The hotel would be the latest development on the former brewery site that already includes university buildings and business hubs.
Last month, the Lumen building, which aims to provide space for established and start-up science companies and should bring 1,000 jobs to the site, was opened.
It is hoped that the Helix site will eventually support around 4,000 jobs, with housing developments and more business units set to be built in the coming years.
The hotel plans have been welcomed by tourism and regional economy chiefs on Tyneside.
Sarah Green, chief executive of the NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “This new hotel in the heart of our city centre will be surrounded by innovation, businesses, people, and culture.
“Newcastle Helix is such an asset to our region, playing an instrumental role in driving new investment, influencing business relocation decisions, and creating a place where people can live well. This new investment will support us with the recovery of our economy and further position Newcastle Helix as a place to live, work and enjoy.
“The Covid-19 pandemic continues to affect the tourism industry across the world, with our venues closed and events having to be postponed and cancelled, but people and businesses will return.
“Newcastle and Gateshead has worked hard to grow our visitor numbers to more than 18m every year and this investment is a signal of confidence and great news for the industry, as well as conference and event’s organisers who will be even more spoilt for choice.
“We look forward to when visitors can again experience everything we have to offer, and when they do, I’m sure we will all give them a great authentic North East welcome.”
Coun Ged Bell, cabinet member for employment and culture at Newcastle City Council said: “This hotel is a milestone in the story of Newcastle Helix and comes at a time when creating jobs has never been more important as we recover from the pandemic. Business leaders, academics and experts travel from all over the world to attend conferences, study, work and enjoy our wonderful city, so a hotel would be well suited to the site.
“Obviously, any planning application must first be subject to the rigours of the planning process. I look forward with interest on this exciting scheme which highlights the huge contribution Newcastle Helix is making to the local economy.”
