Already a top destination for free-to-view art, soon Gateshead’s Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art will get an exciting upgrade. The northeastern art hub is planning an extension that will feature a leafy elevated garden with views towards the Newcastle skyline.
Known as the Baltic Gardens, the new green space will be built on brownfield land and designed by Newcastle-based architects MawsonKerr. Sitting at first floor level, it will be on top of the gallery’s energy centre and stretch across to the main building. The space will be home to native plantings and offer a range of community-focused programmes and hireable areas, while the project will also improve accessibility.
The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, for those not in-the-know, is an art gallery in Gateshead that occupies a former industrial flour mill. The mill was operational until the early 1980s, and the BCCA opened on the site in 2002. The venue, which features four floors of art, two viewing decks, a cafe, shop, library, sensory room and rooftop restaurant, has previously hosted award ceremonies for the Stirling Prize (in 2002) and the Turner Prize (2011).
Baltic Director Sarah Munro commented on the plans: ‘To be able to pause for breath, observe wildlife, enhance accessible entrances to the building and create a serene and inviting elevated outdoor green space at Baltic that looks down the River Tyne, will be game-changing.
‘Our building has remained unchanged structurally since opening in 2002. This project is part of a coherent set of pending funding applications and fundraising initiatives that are crucial for maintenance challenges of the building to be addressed.
‘As we look forward to Baltic’s 25th anniversary in 2027 we are at an important juncture; we need to futureproof the building for its continued operations and enjoyment by our public (up to 400,000 per year) and similarly execute new innovations that diversify the experience Baltic’s building offers and drive income generation.’
Baltic’s new elevated garden has received planning permission but is subject to fundraising, with a timeline of its development yet to be announced. Watch this space for updates.
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