The new North East Company of the Year is to take on the riverfront offices currently being built on the site of the former Baja Beach Club nightclub in Gateshead.
Aspire Technology Solutions, which won the top prize at the North East Business Awards, has signed a deal with developers Adderstone Group to base its new headquarters at Pipewell Quay.
The building has been empty for more than a decade after the closure of Baja Beach Club, a bar and nightclub that was popular around the turn of the century with its beach-themed party nights.
Aspire, which was launched 14 years ago by Chris Fraser and Nigel Begg and is currently based at Heworth Hall in Gateshead, has signed up to a 12-year lease.
The company, which employs more than 150 people, moved to its current base at Heworth Hall, Gateshead, in 2010 and has since invested more than £1m to restore and modernise the Grade II-listed building.
With further expansion plans, the firm’s move to Pipewell Quay will see the company occupy the entire 30,000sqft Grade A office space, which will have a full glazed facade giving spectacular views directly across the River Tyne.
Currently under way, the new Pipewell Quay office development is set to open in spring 2021, triggering further regeneration in the area.
Pipewell Quay has been designed by award-winning Newcastle-based architects Ryder and has undergone significant redevelopment since it operated as the Baja Beach Club.
The development is set across three floors and incorporates state of the art office space with break-out zones and expansive terraces ont o the river.
The new office will enable Aspire to remain in Gateshead, while expanding its nationwide operations and increasing its local 150-strong workforce in the process.
The company has set ambitious plans for improving digital innovation across the North East region and recently invested £2.5m in the local infrastructure to launch its own full fibre North East network.
Aspire owns Heworth Hall but has not yet decided whether to lease it or put it on the market.
Chris Fraser, managing director at Aspire said: “To support our continued growth plans, we wanted a new iconic HQ and the best possible working environment for our people. Pipewell Quay was top of our list. Our full fibre network is a game-changer which delivers more than just speed.
“Our dedicated connections will allow businesses to take a huge step forward in their communication and cloud capabilities, offering a dependable platform for business growth both inside and outside of the region.
“Our new office based in the heart of the region will be perfectly geared to help us deliver our plans – the entire team is really fired up about the move.”
Gateshead council leader Martin Gannon said: “With this brave speculative project, Adderstone Group has proven demand for quality Grade A office space in Gateshead. The fact that Pipewell Quay will enable Aspire to remain in the borough, continue its spectacular growth and invest in the North East’s connectivity infrastructure is an added bonus.”
Adderstone Group CEO Ian Baggett said: “It’s great that Chris and his team share our vision for collaboration and innovation. They are the perfect tenant for what will be one of the coolest office developments in the region.”
