With the autumn 2020 detailed drawings showcasing homes, offices and bridges as part of Sunderland City Council’s Riverside Sunderland Masterplan, we thought it was an opportunity to look back at a host of other visions of the city’s future to see how accurate – or not – they have so far turned out to be.
9. New council headquarters
Sunderland City Council eventually purchased the land from Tesco and its plans include a £61m new City Hall to replace Sunderland Civic Centre, in Burdon Road, on the opposite side of the city centre. Work is currently ongoing. Photo: kc
10. Bridging the gap
Sunderland, of course, did eventually did get a new River Wear crossing when the £117m Northern Spire opened in August 2018. Photo: Stu Norton
11. Above standard
The finished product closely resembles this vision from above. Photo: nop
12. Pointing the way
Now here's an earlier vision of the bridge from 2009. Photo: NOP SUBMITTED