Hard Rock Cafe

The works to create the new “Hard Rock Café” venue at Newcastle City Centre has been carried out within a fallow ground floor area within the existing listed building which used to be the Guildhall on the Quayside.

Project Overview

The works consisted of breaking out the existing concrete slab for new foundations to support a new structural steel mezzanine structure with timber floor joists and decking with specialist staircase with glazed balustrading to the staircase and around the mezzanine. New sleeper walls were installed at the front of the building to create a raised area level with the existing external pavement to provide level access to the new Rock shop and public toilet facilities.

Objectives

New disabled toilet facilities were created on the lower area that is accessible via the Quayside / river access together with a new bar / restaurant / kitchen and back of house facilities together with a cellar and associated cooling.

Scope of Works

• New kitchen facilities were formed together with back of house preparation areas, wine storage areas and a refuse area were also created.
• A new stage was formed and a sophisticated AV system stalled to cater for live performances within the Café.
• Plant facilities / electrical switch room and staff toilets were formed on the first floor. A new restaurant and bar area was created together with a Rock shop and further seating was created on the mezzanine with views over the river Tyne.
• Memorabilia cases were installed throughout the front of house areas and on the mezzanine to accommodate the Rock memorabilia that will be on display throughout the new venue together with a sophisticated lighting schemes to allow the client to alter the lighting to create the right ambience required during various times through the day/evening and depending upon the offering at any given time.

Challenges

Breaking out the existing concrete slab and constructing the mezzanine required precise coordination to integrate structural steelwork, timber decking, and specialist glazed balustrades while maintaining access to existing Quayside pathways.

Outcome

The project successfully delivered accessible, functional, and modern retail and hospitality spaces including the new mezzanine, Rock shop, public toilets, bar, restaurant, kitchen, and back-of-house facilities, enhancing the Quayside offering for visitors.