Located in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, within the city’s cultural quarter, Portland House occupies a prominent position within the urban fabric. The project introduces a striking new glass entrance to the building, creating a bold architectural gesture that bridges the historic structure with its public realm. By opening up the façade through transparent surfaces, the design enhances visual permeability, brings natural light into the reception, and signals a refreshed identity for the building as it enters a new era of occupancy.

Portland House is a newly refurbished Grade A office extending over 60,000 sq ft. The inspiring workspaces, set across five floors, are designed with quality, productivity, sustainability and wellbeing at their core. The building combines contemporary interventions with its Grade II listed heritage, offering innovative communal spaces, extensive end-of-journey facilities and a wrap-around terrace overlooking the city centre.

Within this context, the new glass entrance plays a central role in defining the building’s arrival experience. Slender steel framing and large-format glazing create a transparent pavilion that contrasts with the solidity of the historic structure, while carefully detailed junctions ensure durability and refinement. The entrance reconfigures the reception sequence, providing a clear and welcoming threshold that improves circulation, connects interior and exterior, and reinforces Portland House’s identity as a landmark workplace for the city.

Project team

• Client: AHCS Once Ltd Portland House
• Architect: MWE Architects
• Structural Engineer: Cundall.
• Contractor: Ultimate (Commercial Interiors) Ltd.
• Interior Designer: Cocoon and Bauer.