The Ridge, Newcastle The Ridge, Newcastle The Ridge is a heritage-listed residence and former hospital at 21 Hillcrest Road, Merewether, New South Wales, Australia. It was also known as Hillcrest Hospital. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The Ridge was built in 1861 by Edward Christopher Merewether, who had arrived in Newcastle as the General Superintendent of the Australian Agricultural Company, and his wife, whose family owned two land grants in the area now known as Merewether. It was later used as a hospital by the Salvation Army but fell into disuse by the
Newcastle City Centre west and north east respectively. It is the location of Newcastle Civic Centre, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, Haymarket bus station and the City Pool, and is mainly a business area. The Church of St Thomas the Martyr is a prominent landmark in the area opposite the Metro station at the northern end of Northumberland Street, the city's main shopping street. The Quayside is a more modern part of Newcastle city centre known for its bars and restaurants. Four bridges cross the River Tyne at the Quayside: The High Level Bridge, the Swing Bridge, the Tyne Bridge and the Gateshead Millennium