Journal Article – Block Management Contract

Wednesday April 29, 2015

Newcastle property specialists clinch block management contract

A property specialist has won the rights to oversee the block management of one of Central Newcastle’s most distinctive buildings.

Heaton Property will manage historic Pandongate House, which sits on the corner of City Road and Pandon Bank, overlooking Newcastle Quayside.

The decision to hand responsibilities to Heaton Property was made by the Pandongate House Management Company Ltd, a group made up of all 64 owners of the properties in the block.

Damiano Rea, owner of Heaton Property, says the appointment marks a major opportunity for him to grow his award-winning business further into block management.

He has already established HPBM, a new division of Heaton Property and he will head that up alongside qualified estate manager Nichaela Robson and an additional two new recruits who will oversee direct management of Pandongate House.

Damiano is aiming to add six more to the dedicated block management team in the next 12 months as they target more high profile block management contracts in the region.

He said: “Block management is generally dominated by large plcs and national chains with head offices outside the region. Our service-led management offering has not only been welcomed by leaseholders, but their tenants also enjoy having a local management presence right on their doorstep.

“We’re thrilled that the apartment owners spotted the need to apply common-sense, customer-focused, local solutions to their management needs. Pandongate House is a grade two-listed building of real importance to the city.

“We think it’s a superb development. It deserves to be looked after by a team of people who understand the pride that the owners of the flats have in this amazing block.”

A former Victorian era bonded warehouse, Pandongate House was converted into 64 one and two-bedroom apartments in 2004 by Charles Church.

David Humphrey, one of the apartment owners and member of the Pandongate House Management Company Ltd, added: “I think I speak for the large majority of property owners within Pandongate House when I say Heaton Property’s solutions made perfect sense. They put the needs of our tenants and us, as property owners at the forefront of their proposals. We’re looking forward to working with them.”