Renowned television architect George Clarke has announced ambitious plans to restore a historic Grade II listed building in Sunderland, England, transforming it into a cultural bookshop, café, and community event space called "George Clarke's Home of Books." The Washington-born TV personality has submitted a planning application to Sunderland City Council to convert the 176 High Street West property, located on the edge of Sunderland's creative Sunniside district.

The restoration project will see the late 18th-century Georgian building returned to its former glory through comprehensive alterations, including shopfront restoration and sustainability improvements. If planning permission is granted, the venue is scheduled to open in 2026, coinciding with the National Year of Reading. The building was previously used as office space but has historically housed retail and commercial tenants throughout its long history.

Clarke plans to convert the upper floors into a four-bedroom apartment themed around Wearside heritage industries, including shipbuilding, coal mining, and stained-glass work. The apartment will serve as accommodation for Clarke and his family when they visit, but will also be marketed as boutique lodging for short-term stays when the family is not in town. The space is designed to host visiting writers, artists, and other contributors to the city's creative community.

In his planning application foreword, Clarke expressed deep personal connection to the project, stating: "This project means a lot to me, both as an architect and as someone shaped by Sunderland. 176 High Street West is a beautiful old building with a long history, and I feel really lucky to be part of its next chapter. The aim is simple: to bring it back into use in a way that respects its heritage but also gives it a fresh role in the life of the city."

The ground floor will feature a carefully curated bookshop focusing on titles that reflect Sunderland's spirit, along with books on architecture, art, photography, music, food, history, and creativity. A small café and wine bar will complement the bookshop, offering coffee and light bites during the day, and wine with cold plates in the evening. The venue will also host events, readings, exhibitions, and cultural conversations in a relaxed, accessible atmosphere.

Clarke described his vision for the space: "At ground floor, we're creating a space built around a bookshop, somewhere open, inviting, and shaped by the things I care about: good design, great books, and bringing people together." He emphasized that the venue is intended to serve as a "community living room" and flexible event space where culture feels easy to access.

The project holds special significance for Clarke, who credits a book purchased from a Sunderland second-hand bookshop with changing his life. In his early teens, he bought Sir Bannister Fletcher's "History of Architecture," which he says fueled his passion not only for architecture and buildings but also for books. This personal connection inspired what he describes as "a project of passion; an investment of the heart more than anything else."

For Clarke, the project represents a homecoming after years of living in different parts of the UK and abroad. "After years of living in different parts of the UK and abroad, this is very much a homecoming story for me," he explained. "I want to spend more time in Sunderland, and to re-establish roots in the city that raised me, so when this beautiful Georgian building came up for sale, I knew it was an opportunity I couldn't pass by - to breathe new life into an empty old building, and to spend more time back home."

Local officials have welcomed Clarke's investment in the city. Councilor Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for housing, regeneration and business, praised the development: "It's incredible to welcome George, who is one of the best-loved sons of the city, to Sunniside, and to see his plans - which have been under development for several months - come into the spotlight. Sunderland city center is transforming and there is a growing sense that this is our time."

Johnston noted that Clarke's investment follows a trend of notable figures investing in Sunderland, including celebrity chef Si King, who brought a hospitality business to Sheepfolds Stables. "It really does feel like the ambition we have shown for Sunderland is bearing fruit and plans like this - one of the most respected and admired voices in the built environment coming home to invest in the city - shows that we're getting it right," Johnston added.

Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland Business Improvement District, emphasized the broader impact of such investments on the city's regeneration. "We're seeing regeneration in our city center on a scale unmatched for decades, and that is capturing the interest of more and more investors who can see the potential of the place and are willing to put their money and belief into the area," Appleby said. She highlighted that the momentum building in Sunderland will result in thousands more people living, working, and spending time in the area, fueling the local economy and creating more jobs and opportunities for residents.

Clarke concluded his vision for the project by connecting it to Sunderland's ongoing transformation: "Sunderland's changing in brilliant ways, and I hope Home of Books can play a part in that, rooted in the city's past, but open to new stories, new ideas, and the people who bring them to life." The project represents both a preservation of the building's Georgian heritage and a forward-looking contribution to Sunderland's cultural renaissance.