Genr8 Kajima Regeneration begin work on pioneering Health Innovation Neighbourhood

A groundbreaking ceremony has marked the start of work on Kajima’s £500 million Health Innovation Neighbourhood (HIN) in Newcastle, which will promote longer, healthier lives.

Leading figures from Genr8 Kajima Regeneration Ltd (GKRL), Newcastle University, the North East Combined Authority and Newcastle City Council, took part in the event to highlight their strong support and commitment to the ambitious project.

The Health Innovation Neighbourhood is being delivered by our joint venture partnership between GKRL and Newcastle University, who together formed Newcastle Genr8 Kajima (NGK) in March 2022. The partnership will transform the former 29-acre General Hospital site in Newcastle’s West End into a world-class centre for research and innovation focused on ageing and living well.

Newcastle University will leverage its previous successes including the Helix and the National Innovation Centre for Ageing, alongside the regeneration expertise of GKRL to deliver a world-leading example of intergenerational living, co-locating education, health and a spectrum of residential developments and workspace.

The development will cement the region’s status in leading ageing research, with the construction of new academic hubs, NHS and other health-related facilities, residential, business, community, and leisure spaces.

Richard Ingham, Director, Genr8 Kajima Regeneration, said: “The Health Innovation Neighbourhood will be a genuinely transformational project for Newcastle, creating a dynamic and multi-generational environment that enables people to live longer, healthier lives. The commencement of the demolition works is a significant step on the journey and following on from the recently granted outline planning permission, reinforces the momentum which the project now has.”