TISH MURTHA HOUSE, PART OF KAJIMA’S NEWCASTLE SOCIAL HOUSING PROJECT, OFFICIALLY OPENS

In March 2023, 38 one- and two-bedroom apartments for older people officially opened in Newcastle's West End. The collection of apartments forms the final installment of the now completed £51m social housing scheme, which comprises 347 high-quality and affordable homes ranging from Tyneside flats and bungalows to sheltered and assisted living apartments.

Commencing construction in 2018, Kajima led a consortium of independent living experts to finance, design and construct the innovative scheme. On behalf of Newcastle City Council, the Consortium delivered the last phase of the project at the end of 2022, providing brand new, adaptable, quality homes for the city's residents.

Tish Murtha House is named in honour of the acclaimed local photographer, Tish Murtha, by pupils at St Michael's Primary School. Tish Murtha is acclaimed as one of the UK's most important social documentary photographers of the last 50 years. Her work spans documenting political events and figures from her time in Newport, Wales, in the 1970s, to capturing the lives of her friends and family in Newcastle. Tish's work was often concerned with documenting marginalised communities from the inside.

Tish's daughter, Ella Murtha, was joined by the Sheriff of Newcastle, Councillor Veronica Dunn, residents and guests for the official opening of the building. Kajima is proudly supporting a total of three exhibitions being held in Newcastle, which showcase the work of the local artist, whose imagery celebrates the wonderful, everyday people from the fantastic region. Tish Murtha: Camera in Hand will be permanently displayed at Tish Murtha House.

Speaking at the event, Ella Murtha said: "I know she would be so proud to have a place where older people from where she lived can feel safe and secure, named after her. And she would have loved that today's generation of Elswick Kids chose the name."

Craig Smailes, Project Director for Kajima, said: "Kajima is delighted to be supporting the exhibitions which showcase the work of a local artist whose imagery celebrates the wonderful, everyday people from this fantastic region.