The construction of a landmark green building for offices and shops is set to begin on the former Jesmond Picture House site in April, according to its owner, local businessman Sunil Mehra.

Plans for the site on Lyndhurst Avenue, West Jesmond, were approved last year after 18 months of consultation with local residents. The cinema had lain derelict since its closure in 1993, but was demolished in October to make way for the new building, which retains the site’s 88-year old name, “The Jesmond”. Work is set for completion in April 2011.

The Jesmond will provide 1,047 square metres of office space, and 410 square metres for shops, over four floors.

There is a strong emphasis on sustainability. The building will use solar power to partially heat its water, and will harvest rain water for flushing toilets. And tenants will be kept cool by a cutting-edge chill-beam system, the first of its kind in the north east.

Sunil Mehra, of local business MK Partnerships, says he received many letters of support from the public during the planning application. He said:  “The project is going forward because of the support we’ve had from the local community and the Jesmond Residents’ Association.

“The Jesmond will be a landmark building for Newcastle, not just Jesmond.”