Contractors prepare for Get Carter car park demolition
Demolition contractors are undertaking final preparations to demolish the iconic Gateshead car park made famous in the film, Get Carter.
The structure was idendified for demolition when it closed in January 2008, with a view to the land being used for a major regeneration project of the area.
The centre was designed in 1962 when Brutalism - raw exposed concrete defining the character of the building and its exterior - was at the cutting edge of architecture. It was the brainchild of renowned architect Owen Luder, who subsequently became president of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
The multi-storey car park was not opened, however, until August 1969, when Brutalism was already in decline. Its design viscously split opinions from the very outset, but the leader of Gateshead Council said there will be many people sad to see it go.
Councillor Mick Henry, said, "For forty years it has been visible from across Newcastle and Gateshead and, as well as accommodating thousands of cars over the years, it has been a huge talking point and a great location for filming and photography."
The land is to be used in £150 million plans by Spenhill, the regeneration subsidary of Tesco, that will include a new town square, 45 retail units, offices, a 900-bed student village, parking and a supermarket. Councillor Henry said it was a long-awaited opportunity to redevelop the town centre to better suit local needs.
