Gateshead Council has announced it will review the future of its civic centre after annual running costs rose and it was found that almost 80% of its desks are unused because staff are working from home.
A report by the borough council says the building may require extensive renovation over the next 20 years while occupancy has plummeted.
Monitoring found a maximum of 480 of 2,250 desks were in use at any time following the Covid pandemic.
A report released by the authority said annual running costs for the building had risen to £1.4m a year with work likely to be needed in coming years to windows, toilets and kitchen areas.
Officers are expected to conduct an options appraisal on the future of the building focusing on what investments need to be made to make it attractive to rental tenants.
Sandra Watson, service director for housing, environment and healthy communities, said: ‘Without careful management, there is potential to waste money by keeping buildings that are not fit for use or unnecessary.
‘Equally, all assets have a value and if they are no longer required, we might be able to sell them to unlock that value and use or invest the money elsewhere.
‘We live in ever-changing times. Factors like population change, changes in deprivation levels, digitalisation and the effect of Covid-19 are changing how we work and how we deliver our services.’
