The 26 Sandhill building had been under the same ownership for 50 years
A prominent listed building on Newcastle Quayside has been sold in a deal said to secure its future. The 26 Sandhill building dates back to the 1800s and is home to the Side gallery and cinema, Bangkrak Thai restaurant and an Airbnb apartment.
It has been under the same ownership for about 50 years but now an unnamed local property investor has acquired it. Property agents who handled the sale have described the building as a “rare gem”.
As previously reported by ChronicleLive, the Side gallery and cinema – which specialises in documentary exhibitions – faced closure in recent years. But last year the venue was awarded a £236,000 grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund which allowed it to work on a project called “Transforming Amber: Building a Resilient Future”.
In the coming days, the gallery and cinema’s senior team will give a question and answer session on what comes next for the longstanding arts space. The gallery is closely tied to the AmberSide collection – a huge repository of documentary photography and film depicting North East working class communities.
Commenting on the sale of 26 Sandhill, Gary Robinson, partner at GFW, said: “It was an honour to have facilitated the sale of 26 Sandhill and play a part in securing the future of one of Newcastle’s heritage properties. It was a rare gem to enter the market. The gallery alone offers an impressive archive with photographs from World War II, film reels of shipyards and mines. It’s these kinds of projects that remind us how deeply property connects to people, places and history.
“Careful support was key in helping the owner decide whether to retain 26 Sandhill as a family legacy or pass it on to someone new. Kristian Sorenson, senior associate at GFW worked closely with the owner to find the right buyer, matching the building with a local property investor to take it into its next phase of life.”
Richard Garland, GFW managing partner, added: “We’re seeing significant movement in the region and in particular Newcastle’s property market is thriving, with a rise in both domestic and international interest. Our goal over the next three years is to build on that momentum, remaining ahead of market shifts.
“Our team will continue to grow in step with the expanding market, ensuring we remain at the forefront of regional development. It’s a really exciting time to be part of the region’s commercial property scene.”
An event to discuss the future of the Side will take place on August 25 between 4-5pm at the Side Cinema.
