A Concrete Community
Montagu Court is a distinctive tower on Newcastle’s Town Moor. Designed in the early 1960s by Waring & Netts, the 17-storey tower introduced homes poised above the parkland, offering far-reaching views across the city.
Overview
Commissioned in 1963, Montagu Court was part of Newcastle’s post‑war ambition to provide modern apartments close to the city centre. Waring & Netts developed a Y‑shaped tower and a lower block on stilts, placing the buildings on the edge of the Town Moor to maximise views and sunlight. Early drawings show the tower rising above the tree line, its concrete frame supporting spacious flats with large balconies and picture windows. As a boy, SPACE Architects' CEO Rob Charlton visited the site with his grandfather, a site agent; an experience that shaped his career and inspired the practice’s later interest in the building. When we revisited Montagu Court in 2022, we found it largely unchanged: the tower still boasts some of the best views in the city and the apartments remain more generous than many twenty‑first‑century counterparts.
- Year 1963
- Location Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Project Sectors Residential
Design Approach
Montagu Court embodies mid‑century modernism. The Y-plan tower is constructed from reinforced concrete slabs, allowing large, open-plan interiors that residents can adapt over time. Each apartment occupies one wing of the ‘Y’, ensuring dual‑aspect outlooks and cross‑ventilation. Balconies extend the living spaces outdoors, while deep floor plates are punctuated by full‑height glazing. The lower block, supported on slender columns, provides covered parking beneath. Inside, simple finishes highlight the concrete structure and generous windows. The robust frame has proved remarkably flexible: comparisons of two identical flats show how residents have customised their homes, adding secondary lobbies, studies, and extra bathrooms, without altering the building’s structural rhythm. This adaptability is a key reason the apartments remain desirable today.
Result
Nearly sixty years after completion, Montagu Court continues to function as a sought‑after residential community. Many original purchasers still live there, and newer residents are drawn by the light‑filled rooms, deep balconies, and views across the Town Moor. The democratic management structure, where every resident votes on maintenance and improvement proposals, has funded roof replacements, lobby refurbishments, landscaping, and structural strengthening. These works have ensured that the concrete frame remains safe and robust, with modern steel and neoprene ties expected to extend its life by another 250 years. The building’s timeless design has also attracted architectural interest; it features in local heritage listings as an exemplar of post‑war housing and modernist design.
People
A community haven, housing generationsThe residents of Montagu Court describe it as a community as much as a building. Ian Davison, an architect and member of the building management committee, calls it “the best flats in Newcastle”. He notes that people “love living there” and that some have remained since purchasing their apartments off-plan in the early 1960s. The spacious apartments, quiet interiors, and panoramic vistas encourage neighbours to stay and invest in the building’s future. This community spirit extends beyond the building: balconies provide a daily connection to the Town Moor below, while communal lobbies and gardens foster informal interaction among neighbours.
Planet
The embodiment of longevity and adaptabilityMontagu Court predates contemporary sustainability standards; yet, its design embodies principles of longevity and adaptability. Retaining the original concrete frame and façade, along with ongoing maintenance initiatives such as the structural strengthening programme, aims to extend the building’s life by centuries. The generous window openings maximise daylight, reducing reliance on artificial lighting, while the cross‑ventilated plan supports natural cooling. Residents’ balconies provide space for planting and outdoor living, connecting occupants to nature and the adjacent Town Moor. By conserving and adapting rather than replacing, the management committee demonstrates a model of sustainable heritage housing.
Place
A distinctive marker on the city’s northern edgeMontagu Court occupies a prominent position on Montagu Avenue, overlooking the Town Moor and the skyline of Newcastle. Its tower and lower wing set against the parkland make it a distinctive marker on the city’s northern edge. The building was designed to provide a new kind of urban living in Gosforth: high-rise apartments with the space and amenities of suburban homes. Its location offers residents immediate access to green space while remaining within walking distance of the city centre. Over time, Montagu Court has become part of Newcastle’s architectural identity and a source of local pride. It illustrates how mid‑century design can still feel contemporary, and how careful stewardship by residents ensures that this concrete community continues to flourish.
Credits
- Photography Elliot Harris
- Design Team Waring & Netts
