Iconic Gateshead landmark reaches new milestone
Gateshead Millennium Bridge is the latest icon in the borough to celebrate a key milestone as it is 20 years since the bridge first opened to the public on 17 September 2021.
As part of the birthday celebrations 200 people took part in creating an animation film, with artist Anton Hecht, and a group of the Gateshead Art Diamonds took part in a workshop with artist Robert Soden, to create their own version of the famous landmark. Gateshead Millennium Bridge will also tilt at 7pm on Friday 17 September to mark the milestone.
Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, Gateshead Council, said “Gateshead Millennium Bridge has quickly become an internationally recognised landmark which attracts huge numbers of visitors as the world’s first, and only, tilting bridge.
“Not only did the bridge have a ground-breaking design but it showed people what we could deliver. Since then we’ve continued to develop Gateshead Quayside and we’re delighted that the bridge will become the backdrop for the £260m NewcastleGateshead Quays development which will be for the people of our region as well as visitors from around the world.”
Gateshead Millennium Bridge was created by Wilkinson Eyre Architects and Gifford & Partners following a design competition launched by Gateshead Council in 1996. In November 2000 Europe’s largest floating crane transported the bridge up the river. It was officially opened by the Queen in May 2002 and has since won numerous awards including the RIBA Stirling Prize and the Civic Trust Building Award.