It was August 1996 and for the first time since time immemorial, this area of central Newcastle was an empty, wide-open space.
But it would remain so for just the briefest time.
Fittingly as the new millennium approached, so too this part of the city would throw off the old and embrace the new.
READ MORE: Whitley Bay in 1961 - then and now
A new science hub, the Centre For Life, would be built here as Newcastle entered the 21st century head-on and full of confidence.
In our striking photograph, taken 25 years ago, looking east across the city, we can see the steeple of St Mary's Cathedral, the eyesore multi-storey office block of Westgate House (which would be demolished a decade later), the lantern tower of St Nicholas' Cathedral (which these days brands itself as Newcastle Cathedral ), while to the right we can see the Queen Elizabeth Metro Bridge, and across the Tyne into Gateshead.
In the foreground we see the eastern end of Scotswood Road and the empty ground which had been home to Marlborough Crescent bus station since 1929 and the Cattle Market from the early decades of the 19th century.
They belonged to the past.
Back in August 1996, we reported: "Work has begun on a £54m city centre project in Newcastle designed to welcome in the new century.
"The International Centre for Life is being built on five hectares of derelict land owned by Tyne and Wear Development Corporation around the Central Station.
"The futuristic visitor draw and science complex will celebrate the secret of life and DNA, hailed as one of the greatest of scientific discoveries.
"The centre will include a Genetics Institute housing research laboratories, a Bio-Science village to encourage the growth of bio-technology ventures, and a visitor attraction featuring a Gene Dome, healthy living section and a DNA ride through the human body.
"Work on the first building should start around Christmas, with the Bio village complete by March 1998 and the whole site open by 2000."
Right on deadline, the Centre For Life officially opened on May 27, 2000.
In recent years the science village has employed around 600 people, and incorporates Life Science Centre, an award-winning visitor attraction and educational facility.
There are research facilities housing biotechnology companies and an internationally-renowned institute belonging to Newcastle University.
There are also NHS clinics dealing with fertility and regenerative medicine therapies.
Lately, it's become a major centre for Covid-19 vaccinations.
Don't forget to check out our Memory Lane local history website that's packed with archive photographs and has an easy-to-use picture colourisation tool.
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