---

Renovation is underway for The Old Orphanage, a Grade II Listed building in Hendon, Sunderland, UK, which is estimated to cost £4.5 million ($6.82 million).

---

Pursuant to the contract, the renovation project includes the demolition of annexes and dereliction of a community centre along with the construction of a new, state-of-the-art extra care housing scheme.

Including the provision of new accommodation for the Community Association, the renovation scheme includes the development of a 38 apartment extra care housing scheme on the grounds of the orphanage.

Upon completion, the scheme will provide one and two bedroom apartments and communal space, with a hair salon, restaurant, activity room and landscaped gardens. The scheme will be available to people over 55 with dementia diagnosis.

The orphanage first opened in 1861 and was purpose-built accommodation for sons of seafarers, providing them with bed, clothes and a nautical education. The new extra care housing scheme will be named Seafarers Way to acknowledge and maintain the local heritage.

Both buildings are to be managed by Inclusion Housing which is a housing association and a community interest company.The project is scheduled for completion by summer 2014.