The Baltic - Centre for Contemporary Arts
Gateshead Quays

View from the Millennium Bridge

Originally a grain silo capable of holding 200,000 tons, a flour mill and animal food factory, only the shell of the silo now stands.

Designed before the Second World War, but not built until 1949, for Joseph Rank, in a neo-classical monumental style.

It contained 100 vertical shafts to store the grain, these together with the end walls have been removed. New floors and ends were then inserted to form the Baltic Contemporary Arts Centre.

Excellent views over the river can be seen from the viewing platform on the NW corner.

Before conversion the building played host to a large colony of Kittiwakes, as they are a protected species, they had to be rehoused. Half a mile further down river on the south bank a white triangular tower with roosting ledges can be seen which is their new home.

For more information log onto:-
http://www.gateshead-quays.com
where information can also be found on the Gateshead Quays, Millennium Bridge, Sage Music Centre.
http://www.balticmilll.com
where information on the current exhibits can be found.