Milburn House

In 1900, a devastating fire consumed a block of office buildings on one of Newcastle’s last medieval-era streets. The smoldering site was purchased by Mr. J. D. Milburn, who commissioned the construction of the Milburn House—a vast office block designed around the family’s unusual tastes and unconventional desires.

Among the requests was an office building constructed in the likeness of an ocean liner, with carvings of waves on windows and doorframes, in addition to extravagant mermaid fixtures, sundials, and compasses. Nevertheless, the peculiar touches have yet to deter many hundreds of companies from renting out spaces for offices and events.

Its occupants change as reliably as the tide, but there’s always a steady combination of old-world charm and ocean-liner vibes in this mammoth building. The secret for how the family managed to evolve with the times while staying anchored to their nautical foundation? They prefer to keep that Private. Full stop.

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