Historic Newcastle almshouse to become affordable homes.

Keelmen's Hospital, a Grade II* almshouse in Newcastle, has been awarded a £4.6m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant (matched by the council) to convert the building into around 20 affordable homes, with work due to start in March and first residents expected by Christmas 2027.

Keelmen's Hospital has been awarded a £4.6m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, matched by Newcastle city council, to convert the historic almshouse into affordable housing. The Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust will manage the project and aims to start work in March, with the first of about 20 homes ready by Christmas 2027. The building sits on the Quayside overlooking the Tyne and is widely regarded as one of Newcastle’s most at‑risk historic structures. Key facts: - The building dates to 1701 and was originally an almshouse for retired and sick keelmen who worked on the River Tyne. - Keelmen’s Hospital is Grade II* listed and has not been in regular residential use for around 16 years; it was last used for student accommodation until 2009. - The project is led by the Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust in partnership with Newcastle city council, with National Lottery Heritage Fund backing. - Plans call for roughly 20 affordable units, a March start to work, and first occupants by Christmas 2027. - The site’s history includes long periods of residential use, later tenement housing, a 1989 conversion for students, and local memories of cold rooms, raves in the courtyard and reports of ghostly feelings from former residents. Summary: The project aims to rescue a long‑standing historic building by returning it to residential use and to provide affordable homes while preserving its heritage. The scheme is being watched by other organisations in the UK facing similar challenges, and the next immediate steps are the planned start of work in March and the phased completion leading to occupancy by Christmas 2027.