Plans for Baltic arts centre 'garden' by 2029

19 December 2025

Pamela TickellNorth East and Cumbria

News image — The Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art is based in a former flour mill on the banks of the Tyne

PA Media The Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art is a tall red-brick building on the River Tyne. Near the top, black bricks are laid in way that spells Baltic Flour Mills. The white Millennium Bridge is in the foreground of the photograph. — The Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art is based in a former flour mill on the banks of the Tyne

An arts centre hopes a new garden extension will be completed by the end of 2029.

Gateshead's Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts was granted permission in October to create the "Baltic Gardens" on land alongside its building.

An elevated garden, to the rear of the former industrial flour mill and above its existing service yard, would provide "picturesque views along the River Tyne", according to the arts centre.

The garden was "subject to fundraising" through public and private channels, which was already under way.

The Baltic will celebrate its 25th anniversary year in 2027.

The gardens would be located at first floor level stretching across to the main building, and would be available to be hired for events.

A structure would also provide "much needed " access to the car park, which is 656ft (200m) away from its entrance, the Baltic said.

MawsonKerr and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art A CGI image showing the tall red-bricked Baltic gallery on the banks of the River Tyne. There is lush greenery on the land to the left. Amid the trees and shrubs, there is a large white structure with a walkway connecting it to the gallery. — The Baltic Garden would be on brownfield land next to the building (artist's impression)

MawsonKerr and Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art A CGI image of a white structure surrounded by greenery. A white cube on one side has a grass patch on top and appears to be illuminated from the inside. A walkway on the right has orange flower beds dotted along it, while people sit and play on the structure. — It would also provide new access to the car park

Director Sarah Munro said the hope was to "futureproof the building" by diversifying its facilities.

The Baltic said efforts to secure funds for the garden had already begun, as it was part of a project which included wider building maintenance and refurbishment work.

It did not give a figure as to how much needed to be raised, but said: "The ambition would be for all of Baltic's building works including the Baltic Gardens development to be completed by the close of 2029."

Newcastle-based architects MawsonKerr and the Baltic were granted planning permission by Gateshead Council on 28 October.

Ms Munro said: To be able to pause for breath, observe wildlife, enhance accessible entrances to the building and create a serene and inviting elevated outdoor green space at Baltic that looks down the River Tyne, will be game-changing."

Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.