Set within one of Newcastle’s most historically significant merchant houses, our ongoing proposals breathe new life into the underused basement and North Pend of Alderman Fenwick’s House. This Grade I listed property, with origins in the 17th century and layers of later adaptation, has long played an important role in the city’s social and political history. The project seeks to continue that legacy by transforming previously unused areas into vibrant public space, whilst carefully preserving the character of the existing fabric.

The conversion introduces a bar and café environment, drawing on the atmospheric qualities of the exposed brickwork and stone walls. The design combines contemporary insertions with the building’s historic structure, retaining the patina of age while introducing refined interventions such as integrated shelving, warm lighting, and bespoke joinery. These elements are designed to complement the robust character of the space, ensuring that the architectural story of the basement is both respected and reinterpreted for modern use.

The North Pend, once a functional passage, is reimagined as a welcoming entrance and extension of the social space. By carefully inserting glazed screens, high-quality finishes, and subtle lighting, the pend now connects directly with the public realm, offering an active frontage that strengthens the building’s relationship with the city. Together, the basement and pend conversion demonstrate how sensitive, contemporary design can unlock new uses within historic fabric, adding another chapter to the life of Alderman Fenwick’s House while enriching Newcastle’s cultural quarter.