Social housing building named after Top Gun director Tony Scott

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Development

A social housing redevelopment has been named after the director of the Hollywood films Top Gun and Enemy of the State, Tony Scott.

Home Group's redevelopment of the historic Northumberland Square in North Shields has created 24 new properties.

The housing association has invested £1.75m into the building, one side of which will now be known as Scott House after the British director who committed suicide last year.

Couple Victor Smiles, 71, and Kathleen Young, 80, have become the first tenants to be handed the keys to their new home – 1 Scott House – by North Tyneside Elected Mayor Linda Arkley and Ian Tallentire, Home Group director of development.

“The last time I was in this building was when it was council offices and I was retiring. I never thought I’d end up living here," said Kathleen, a retired sheltered housing warden.

“Home Group has done a really good job with the flat. We’ve got a lovely kitchen, two bedrooms and plenty of storage space. We’ve met some people who are due to become our new neighbours and I’m sure we’ll be really happy here.”

Work to transform the offices, which had remained empty for seven years, started in February 2012 and was completed in March 2013.

The project was boosted with a £328,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Ian Tallentire said: “It has been really rewarding to meet with Victor and Kathleen and hear how much they are looking forward to living in Scott House. When we set out to redevelop this building in Northumberland Square we said that our aim along with the council was to bring people back to live in the heart of this historic area which would help regenerate the town.”