International integrated support services firm Carillion has begun working on the first building at the former Vaux brewery site in Sunderland today, 13 December.

The site has stood empty for 17 years however it now forms part of a major city wide regeneration programme being undertaken by Siglion, a joint venture between Carillion, Sunderland City Council and Igloo Regeneration.


The first building will be a 60,000sq ft office block and will be the first speculative office space to be built in Sunderland for several years. It will be one of the few sites in the city centre offering Grade A office space to attract new businesses.

Construction of the office building will create between 100 and 120 jobs at its peak. The project will also offer opportunities for apprentices who are training at Carillion's Apprenticeship Training Centre in Sunderland.

The Vaux site is the first of five areas of the city to be developed in a 20-year regeneration scheme managed by Siglion. The high-profile site will include office, retail, residential and leisure facilities.

(CD)