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Plummer House is a major student residential conversion and extension project that has transformed a disused Grade II-listed early 20th-century building into high-quality, contemporary student accommodation.
Plummer House is a major student residential conversion and extension project that has transformed a disused Grade II-listed early 20th-century building into high-quality, contemporary student accommodation. Located in Newcastle city centre, the scheme responds to strong demand for modern student living while preserving the architectural character of the original structure.
The development carefully integrates heritage conservation with new-build elements, retaining key historic features including a former tearoom and dance hall, while introducing additional accommodation through extension works.
The project was located within a dense city-centre setting, working adjacent to a listed monument and directly above the subterranean Metro line, requiring careful structural consideration and coordination.
The scheme also required the retention of historic internal features, including the original tearoom and dance hall, alongside the constraints associated with working on a Grade II-listed structure.
Farrow Walsh developed a structural strategy that enabled the sensitive retrofit of the listed building while supporting new development above and adjacent to it. A light gauge steel frame (LGSF) structure was introduced over the retained tearoom and dance hall, allowing these historic elements to be preserved while accommodating new accommodation above.
The scheme also incorporated the demolition of selected areas and the construction of a new six-storey LGSF structure, carefully integrated with the existing building. Through coordinated design and a considered approach to heritage and infrastructure constraints, Farrow Walsh enabled the successful delivery of a complex city-centre student scheme.
