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George unveils plan for new chapter to breathe life into historic building
Sunderland Echo
|September 29, 2025
Architect and TV presenter George Clarke has unveiled plans to reinvent an historic Sunniside building.
George Clarke outside 176 High Street West.
The Washington-born star has submitted a planning application to convert 176 High Street West, next door to Sonny's and Pop Recs, into George Clarke's Home of Books, a cultural bookshop, cafe and flexible event space described as a 'community living room'.
Meanwhile, the upper floors are set to be transformed into an apartment that will be used by the presenter and his family, as well as being marketed as boutique accommodation for short stays when he isn't in town.
The apartment will be themed around the industries which built the city including shipbuilding, coalmining and stained-glass work.
The Grade II-listed building will be returned to its former glory, with a planning application submitted to Sunderland City Council outlining proposals to deliver sensitive conservation-led alterations to the building, including shopfront restoration and adaptions that will improve the building's sustainability credentials.
This story is from the September 29, 2025 edition of Sunderland Echo.
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