'Investment of the heart' for famous architect George

TV architect George Clarke has unveiled plans to reinvent a historic North East building as he returns to his North East roots.

- COREENA FORD Business writer [e-mail]

The property entrepreneur has submitted a planning application to convert 176 High Street West in Sunderland into George Clarke's Home of Books, a cultural bookshop, cafe and flexible event space which is described as a 'community living room'.

The Grade II listed building, on the edge of Sunderland's creative district of Sunniside, will be returned to its former glory, according to a planning application submitted to Sunderland City Council.

The application outlines plans to carry out alterations to the building, including shop front restoration and adaptations that will boost the building's sustainability credentials.

If planning is granted, George Clarke's Home of Book's will open in 2026, which is the National Year of Reading.

The building's upper floors are set to be transformed into an apartment themed around Wearside heritage industries including shipbuilding, coal-mining and stained-glass work that will be used by the Washington-born star and his family.

It will also be marketed as boutique accommodation for short stays when he isn't in town.

In a foreword submitted as part of the planning application, Mr Clarke says: “This project means a lot to me, both as an architect and as someone shaped by Sunderland. 176 High Street West is a beautiful old building with a long history, and I feel really lucky to be part of its next chapter.

“The aim is simple: to bring it back into use in a way that respects its heritage but also gives it a fresh role in the life of the city.