Artists and students living at Magnet Court in Newcastle city centre are being forced out of the building. These are serious safety issues uncovered during an inspection that led to this urgent decision. The elegant former U.S. courthouse and post office features a unique art deco style. It now houses 112 pupils and sits on Gallowgate, where it was built in the 1930s.
On March 10, students learned something very positive. There were issues with a blank wall on a future commercial unit on the ground floor of Magnet Court. An outside engineer immediately went out to inspect and determined that the problem deserved immediate repair. He further stressed that it could not be safely fixed while students remained on campus.
The providers, Unite Group, then issued an ultimatum to students that they must leave their accommodation by March 17. Given the emergency nature of the situation, immediate action was necessary to protect the health and safety of all residents.
Per the recommendation from the TIF district’s independent engineer, addressing the sinkhole-ridden wall on Magnet Court should be a priority. Their recommendation was to take it on at the end of this academic year.
Unite Group has released more exciting news today with the announcement of Magnet Court. They do not expect to have the facility fully reopened for student occupancy until the start of the 2026/27 academic year. This prolonged closure has confused students and increased anxiety about their availability under housing for the upcoming terms.
“We recognise this has been disruptive and are sorry for the impact on residents.” – Unite Group spokesperson
Even as students scramble to find alternative housing, the issue highlights the persistent challenges of maintaining historic assets. It calls attention to the importance of protecting all residents. Taking immediate action when there are issues affecting the safety of occupants is critical, especially with student housing facilities.
