This is the largest city centre office building, with private sector funding, to be constructed in the last decade.

A ground breaking ceremony was held on Friday 27 July to mark this major milestone, bringing together business leaders, key politicians and Newcastle University senior figures, including Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive of Legal & General, Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet member for Employment at Newcastle City Council, Professor Julie Sanders, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University and Pat Ritchie, Chief Executive, Newcastle City Council.

The Lumen, a 108,000 sq. ft. eight storey Grade A. office building, is the first phase of development by Legal & General at Newcastle Helix (formerly known as Science Central), a £350 million project set to boost local jobs and drive economic growth.

Newcastle's £350 million flagship project

Newcastle Helix is being delivered as a partnership between Newcastle City Council, Newcastle University and Legal & General, as part of its ambitious plans to transform and regenerate cities and regions all across the UK.

Professor Julie Sanders, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Newcastle University, said: “The Lumen groundbreaking was another excellent occasion to mark the pioneering three-way partnership that is bringing Helix to life.

“That it happened at the end of a week when Newcastle University had welcomed a delegation from the Victoria State Government looking at how universities could work as part of consortia and clusters to drive business innovation and which saw Helix as an outstanding best practice example confirmed for me how strong our place-based relationships are.”

A major UK hub for scientific research and technology businesses

As one of the biggest urban regeneration projects of its kind in the UK, Newcastle Helix is set to create over 4,000 jobs, 500,000 sq ft of office and research space, and 450 new homes. The aim of the development is to become a major UK hub for scientific research, and technology businesses, creating knowledge-based jobs for future generations in Newcastle and extending the Northern Powerhouse to “the North of the North”.

In June 2016, Legal & General became the long-term investment partner of Newcastle City Council (NCC) and Newcastle University (NU), to build and finance the Newcastle Helix development. The partnership is working in collaboration to deliver this landmark regeneration project.

GVA and Cushman & Wakefield are the joint agents for the marketing and letting of The Lumen.

Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive of Legal & General, said: “These are exciting times for Newcastle. Having grown up close to the City I have seen it survive through more difficult times as well as more positive ones. This is another new chapter for Newcastle and our partnership with Newcastle Council is a shining example of a local authority who embraces the opportunity afforded by devolution by forming exciting investment partnerships to drive forward the growth of our towns and cities.

“With three quarters of the UK population living in cities, there is increasing strain on these areas as populations expand and demand for housing, work space and amenities increases. Legal & General is committed to solving this and would urge more of these collaborative partnerships to ensure people living in our urban areas are excited about the place they live, work and play.”

Cllr Ged Bell, Cabinet member for Employment at Newcastle City Council said:

“Newcastle Helix this is nothing less than a game changer for future growth in Newcastle, and the work starting on The Lumen sends out the strongest possible message that Newcastle is a city on the up and open for business.

“This site represents the economic future of the city, and the unique partnership we have forged with Legal & General is not only testament to the confidence they have in our city, it will bring jobs and further investment that will benefit local people.”