Classic Masonry completes £1.85m stonemasonry and facade works in Newcastle

By Danny BallPublished On: April 9th, 2026Categories: Top Stories

Classic Masonry has completed a £1.85 million contract at Pilgrim’s Quarter, Newcastle, retaining the historic Grade II-listed Carliol House façade and dome as part of a new 460,000 sq ft office complex for HM Revenue & Customs.

The project, delivered in collaboration with main contractor Bowmer+Kirkland, integrates the 120m long Art Deco façade and dome into a modern office hub designed to accommodate up to 9,000 staff, marking HMRC’s largest regional facility in the UK.

A key element of the scheme involved the temporary dismantling of the Carliol House dome at the Market Street junction, which was cleaned, repaired, and reinstated.

The retention of the Portland stone façade represents one of the largest such projects in the country, supported temporarily by a significant steel structure to maintain its integrity.

Heritage Retention at the Heart of Development

Classic Masonry’s scope also included the design, supply, and installation of precast concrete, cladding, and columns for the new build areas, as well as ongoing stonework restoration across the site.

Mike Moody, Managing Director at Classic Masonry, said: “We would like to express our thanks to Bowmer+Kirkland who appointed us onto this hugely significant project for the Newcastle city centre. It is wonderful to see a high quality, modern, working environment retain its historical features as seen with the mix of historical and modern architecture.

“We worked alongside numerous teams including the construction team at Bowmer+Kirkland, Ryder Architecture and the conservation team at Newcastle City Council to plan and develop a suite of interventions to maintain and preserve the structural and historic integrity of the façade.”

Paul Anderson, Project Director at Bowmer+Kirkland, added: “By employing Classic Masonry, we were able to bring to the project unrivalled experience, technical knowledge, and trusted relationships with the local conservation officers and this was critical to the success of the scheme. The old façade has been brought back to life and now merges seamlessly with the new building.”

Expertise in Historic and Modern Construction

Established 35 years ago, Classic Masonry provides a full range of stonemasonry services, including design development, stone sourcing, cutting, profiling, carving, and fabrication. The firm undertakes both new build and restoration projects, covering cleaning, decontamination, and façade consolidation, and operates across modern and historic environments.

The Pilgrim’s Quarter scheme exemplifies the integration of historic architecture with modern construction, reinforcing Newcastle city centre’s regeneration and demonstrating the specialist skills required in large-scale stonemasonry and heritage restoration projects.