MORE than five years after being left to rot, the former headquarters of steelworking in Teesside has been frozen in time.

Once home to British Steel’s Teesside headquarters, the building has been left almost untouched since workers walked out for the last time.

Empty coffee cups, rubbish and even a discarded shoe are among the items left to rot in the building, which is now mould-ridden and damp, with water having caused significant damage to the upper floors of the building. 

This week, workers have started the mammoth task of bringing to building back into use.

But before the major refurbishment work begins, The Northern Echo got the chance to look around the iconic building, which has been abandoned since the steelworks closed in October 2015, along with photographer Stuart Boulton. 

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The building opened in 1978 and the inside was last seen by the public in September 2015, when it was used for a press conference to announce the mothballing of the SSI site.

It will eventually be the headquarters of Teesworks, though it is expected it will take about 18 months to realise.

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Following the extensive refurbishment, the lower floors will provide services for the people who work on the redevelopment of the former Redcar steelworks, including a creche, coffee shop and gym, with upper floors providing office space.

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Inside Steel House, there is a calender still on the page of October 2015 – the last time it was occupied.

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The new-look building will keeps the original structure intact but will have cladding, artificial external lighting and additional windows and light wells.


As well as the building itself, the landscape around Steel House will be redeveloped to incorporate areas for outdoor eating, relaxation and exercise.

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