Looking at the glittering curves of The Sage Gateshead today, it's hard to believe that only a few years ago this was derelict land. In fact, the site had been in decline since the Second World War and much of it was occupied by a scrapyard or used as a site for travellers.
The reclamation of this land as a major cultural centre and focus for the local community is a tribute to the powers of regeneration through cultural development. It was developed as part of the Gateshead Quays, a visionary project to develop the run down south bank of the River Tyne which also includes BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art.
However, the site wasn't always an area of industrial decay;indeed the site of The Sage Gateshead was originally called Rector's Field, an open area of land associated with the nearby parish church of St Mary's. The character of the neighbourhood changed dramatically in 1835 when the industrialist John Abbot relocated the bulk of his metalworking interests to its eastern side. This remained a major general & maritime engineering works until its closure in 1909 and was closely involved in the construction of both the High Level Bridge and Newcastle Central Station.
For a few more years, Rector's Field itself remained relatively undeveloped, until the coal-owning Brandling family obtained permission to build a railway system from their collieries in the Felling area to a new depot at Gateshead on the site of the present car park. When the decision was taken to cross Gateshead High Street on a viaduct, a vast earth mound had to be constructed to house the station and depot, underpinned by a distinctive series of arches facing the river.
The approach ramp up to the modern car park was also the route up to the Oakwellgate Station which opened in 1839 and carried passengers to South Shields and Monkwearmouth. This was closed only five years later when its role was replaced by a new station at Gateshead.
The quayside area below the site was traditionally home to a variety of manufacturers and dwellings, but was gutted by the Great Fire of 1854. It later became the site of the Gateshead Quay and also Haggies Ropeworks, another Gateshead firm with a worldwide reputation.
The local rail network was expanded in the 1860's and two gasometers were built on what remained of the Rector's Field site for the North Eastern Railway; but after the First World War, the area went into a rapid decline as businesses either closed or relocated.
Until of course, the decision by Gateshead Council to transform the area completely. Where once only the sounds of heavy industry could be heard, now you can hear the sweet refrains of music and warm ripples of applause.