‘An important step forward in realising our vision’

Sunderland’s newest office building is about to be boosted by the arrival of a major new tenant - and it mean workers will be moving in within months.

The new offices at Sunderland's Riverside which are about to see the arrival of the DWP> | other 3rd party

placeholder image — The new offices at Sunderland's Riverside which are about to see the arrival of the DWP> | other 3rd party

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be moving its team into the Riverside Sunderland Faber property.

It will be taking three of the five floors in the building, and DWP is expected to relocate its back-office staff team from Wear View House from April 2027.

The Government department has signed a long lease on 55,167sq ft of space in the building, which reached completion last year. Faber’s sister building, Maker, which stands next door, has already secured a lease agreement with online food order and delivery platform Just Eat, who moved in last December.

The new Faber offices which the DWP staff will move into. | other 3rd party

Mike Coplowe, Head of Commercial Development and Regeneration at L&G, said: “DWP's move to the Faber office in Sunderland, alongside their recent move into our West Bar office in Sheffield, reflects the increasing importance of regional centres in supporting jobs and economic activity.

"Our multi-million investment in Sunderland is part of that broader commitment, backing the North East’s role in driving sustainable growth by attracting major employers, supporting high-quality development, and helping to create long-term opportunities for local communities and businesses across the region."

Maker & Faber sit at the heart of Riverside Sunderland, widely regarded as one of the UK’s most ambitious regeneration schemes, and is set to deliver 1m sq ft of office space in Sunderland city centre.

Faber – one of two new L&G-backed buildings in Sunderland city centre – has announced that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will be moving its team into the Riverside Sunderland property. | other 3rd party

The Riverside Sunderland masterplan has been led by Sunderland City Council, working with private-sector partners to deliver transformational change to a previously dormant site.

Cllr James Jackson, Cabinet Member for Business, Housing and Regeneration at Sunderland City Council, said: “DWP’s move to Faber demonstrates clearly that the high-quality office environments we’re creating at Riverside Sunderland are a huge draw for businesses seeking grade A workspace at the heart of this transforming part of the city.

“A well-populated city centre, with housing and workspace drawing people in by day and night, will provide a boost to surrounding businesses, which in turn makes it a more attractive place for new investment, so developments like this are an important step forward in realising our vision.”

Development manager Landid oversaw the design and construction of the buildings on behalf of global institutional investor L&G. The offices form part of a £100m commitment L&G made to Riverside Sunderland.

James Silver, Managing Director at Landid, said: “This is a significant commitment that will sustain employment in the heart of Sunderland.”