Lumen lights up Newcastle Helix 

A landmark city centre office building is open for business. Now complete, The Lumen offers 13,935sqm of grade A office space and is surrounded by the innovative community on Newcastle Helix. 

The word ‘Lumen’ represents a light quarter and a vision that the building will spark innovation, ideas, and discoveries through connections.  The copper tone of the building catches sunlight and is an iconic eye catching addition to Newcastle’s skyline. 

Its story began back in 2018, as part of a £65m investment from Legal & General, making it the largest private sector funded office building to be constructed in the city centre in the last decade. 

A celebratory event to mark its completion was due take place in March but was postponed due to the global pandemic.  Instead, this week (May 18-22) Newcastle Helix will celebrate the practical completion of this landmark building and the role it will play in the city’s future.   

With cutting edge facilities, shared working spaces and flexible floor plates, The Lumen is already gaining significant interest from businesses in the UK and abroad.  It’s not just the quality of the design and build that is attracting investors, it’s the unique eco system that fosters collaboration between the public sector, academics, and like minded businesses.  As well as cycle and changing facilities, putting employee wellbeing and sustainability at the heart of its ethos. 

Councillor Ged Bell, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture at Newcastle City Council said, “The completion of the Lumen marks a significant milestone in Newcastle Helix’s story.  In challenging times, this building will play a crucial role in the future of our economy. It has already created a number of jobs across the whole supply chain and has the potential to create more than 1000 jobs once open.” 

Jennie Hill, Chief Commercial Director, Future Cities, at Legal & General Capital, said, “Newcastle is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK, benefiting from some of the country’s best data connectivity and easy access to a talented pool of graduates from leading universities. 

“The Lumen is an iconic site and one that provides an innovation space for companies that want to establish a base in the north.  Part of the wider Newcastle Helix innovation cluster, it is ideally located among scores of world class researchers, developers, and tech facilities, as well as having access to high quality living and leisure spaces.  L&G is proud to have been part of this fantastic development and looks forward to seeing the first tenants move in as the lockdown eases.” 

The Lumen is part of ongoing investment on Newcastle Helix, with work on a second landmark office space ‘The Spark’ already under way, also designed by Ryder. 

The building is designed to BREEAM Excellent standard and has an EPC rating of A.