One of North East England’s best-known landmarks, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, has appointed Silverstone Building Consultancy to carry out its most significant improvements since opening its doors in 2004.
The national chartered building surveying firm, which is headquartered in Newcastle, has won a contract to project manage the refurbishment of the venue’s largest concert hall – Sage One – following a competitive tender process.
Sage One, which has flexible seating for up to 1,640 people, will undergo a programme of improvements covering its power flying system, stage lifts, stage surface, orchestral risers and cooling systems.
The project, which is being led by Silverstone director, Phil Bone, will see specialist teams working across each of these areas over the summer ahead of the hall’s reopening in September. Works to Sage One are part of the first phase of a multi-year capital renewal programme. To reduce the time that the hall will be closed, the work is to be completed on a swift, 10-week schedule which will take place in Summer 2026.
Director at Silverstone Building Consultancy, Phil Bone, comments: “It’s a dream job because The Glasshouse is such an iconic building – it’s a privilege to play a part in ensuring it is enjoyed for generations to come.
“The works will see the quality and standard of the concert hall lifted to be as exceptional and efficient as they should be.”
Fraser Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead, said:
“This is a vital investment in the future of The Glasshouse. I’m hugely grateful to all the donors and partners who have supported this first phase of our Renewal Programme, which aims to ensure our building and facilities serve the next generation just as brilliantly as they have for people during our first two decades.
“We chose to work with Silverstone because of their track record delivering complex projects in landmark buildings and their support has been invaluable in helping us plan a programme that keeps disruption to a minimum while we carry out this essential renewal. When artists, young people, and production teams return to Sage One in September, they will find essential work on our infrastructure has been completed. These upgrades will mean the amazing live music that happens here will be better supported, giving a substantially improved experience for both performers and audiences.
“Over 20 years The Glasshouse has become a national landmark, and we’re determined to ensure it continues to shine brightly from the North East. We’re not just maintaining a building – we’re protecting one of the UK’s great homes for live music, creative education, and artistic expression.”
Silverstone Building Consultancy is a firm of chartered building surveyors and project managers with offices in Leeds, Newcastle and London.
