The demolition of the Golden Eagle former hotel in Thornaby has finally begun after about 470 tonnes of asbestos were removed from the eyesore building.
Small excavator machines are starting on the roof and top floors of the six-storey building, behind scaffolding.
Once the upper floors have been demolished, the scaffolding will be removed and larger machinery will be brought in to demolish the ground and first floors until the structure is completely cleared for redevelopment.
Leaders say this marks the beginning of a new chapter for the site, which has been a blot on Thornaby’s landscape and ends years of uncertainty about its future.
Mark Davison Jnr (MGL), Matt Vickers MP, Mark White, Sylvia Walmsley, Cllr Lisa Evans, Mike Greene, Cllr Mick Moore, Cllr Steve Walmsley, Phil Hastie outside the Golden Eagle in Thornaby.
It follows the complex removal of significant levels of asbestos and a site strip-out. The demolition will be complete in the autumn.
Meanwhile, work continues nearby on a new £14m leisure facility connected to Thornaby Pavilion, which will house a five-lane swimming pool, sauna, gym, changing facilities, a new 46-space car park and public realm improvements.
The two-storey Tees Active-run facility on the former Phoenix House site is set to open in summer 2027, with a new pool offering more learn-to-swim opportunities for the community and school swimming partnerships.
The steel structure of the building is in place, with partners and contractor Galliford Try signing a steel beam before it was sealed.
The projects are part of the Thornaby Town Deal, which focuses on bringing transformational change to the town and tackling long-term empty properties to create development opportunities, from £23.9m awarded by the previous government in 2021.
Stockton Council leader Councillor Lisa Evans said: “Today marks an important milestone for Thornaby as the removal of the Golden Eagle building begins. The Golden Eagle has become an eyesore in the town, but I know it also holds many memories for residents.
“The work underway will help unlock future opportunities for the site and contribute to our long-term vision for Thornaby. And while one building is cleared, it’s fantastic to see the progress of the nearby leisure centre.
“It will play a central role in the wider regeneration of the town centre, providing modern leisure facilities and increasing footfall.”
A steel beam signed by partners and contractor Galliford Try at the site of the new Thornaby leisure facility under construction connected to Thornaby Pavilion.
Mark White CBE DL, chair of the Thornaby Town Deal Board which includes Thornaby councillors and MPs, said: “The demolition of the Golden Eagle marks a significant milestone in the Town Deal Board’s vision to deliver meaningful and positive change for Thornaby.
"I am delighted to join fellow board members in celebrating both the demolition and marking the steel structure of the leisure centre. They are huge achievements for Thornaby-on-Tees.
“I would also like to thank everyone involved for their dedication, commitment and hard work to turn our shared ambitions for Thornaby into reality.”
Measures are in place to minimise disruption to town centre properties and businesses, including dust suppression systems, noise monitoring and carefully managed vehicle movements.
The Golden Eagle in Thornaby.
Mark Davison Jr, head of demolition at contractor MGL Demolition which is carrying out the work, said: “MGL Demolition are pleased to have completed this complex part of the project, with the team working tirelessly to remove around 470 tonnes of asbestos from the Golden Eagle.
“Our attention now turns to the safe demolition of the building. We are proud to support this key milestone for Thornaby.”
The Golden Eagle in Thornaby.
Board member Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton West, said: “The £23.9 million I fought for and helped secure from the previous Conservative government is delivering a once-in-a-generation transformation for Thornaby.
"I have continually worked to ensure the voices of local residents are heard, and it is fantastic to see this ambitious vision for the town now becoming a reality.
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“The demolition of the Golden Eagle and the signing of the steel for Thornaby’s new swimming pool are two hugely significant milestones.
"The Town Deal funding will breathe new life into the Town Centre, deliver first-class leisure facilities and create a town centre in which residents, businesses and visitors can take real pride.
“This is the beginning of an exciting new era for Thornaby, and I look forward to seeing people from across the town and the wider region enjoying the benefits for many years to come.”