Building Design Northern

"It is wonderful to bring such a beautiful old building back into use and to restore it for the benefit of future generations while helping to boost the local economy."

Rick Marsden, BDN Ltd Director

Building Design Northern Ltd secured a loan of £930,000 from the North East Property Fund to complete the conversion of the former Simpson Street School in Sunderland into a self-contained office premises and eight apartments.

The historic school had become derelict and was targeted by vandals and severely damaged by fire in 2020.

But thanks to the FW Capital investment, BDN Ltd has converted the school into offices housing its own headquarters, as well as developing eight loft-style apartments.

BDN retained many of the school’s original features, including the bell tower. A stonemason restored most of the old signage and brickwork.

The deal came about after Durham-based architectural, structural and civil engineering firm BDN Ltd bought the site from Sunderland City Council. Planning permission was granted in 2020 and construction work began shortly after.