Albert Dock improvements get public airing
Public consultation has taken place on the next stage of the Albert Dock masterplan in Liverpool.
Opinions were being sought on improvement to the attraction’s Northern Gateway entrance.
The plans drawn up by Planit-IE were commissioned in 2014 and play a part in the Albert Dock 175 strategy launched in 2016, addressing the evolving needs of the future visitors to this Grade I-listed estate within a UNESCO World Heritage waterfront setting.
An exhibition took place yesterday (Tuesday, September 19) inside the Dr Martin Luther King Jr. Building, for residents, businesses and stakeholders to view the proposals to improve the gateway through a new pavilion building and landscaping works.
The proposals seek to build a new high-quality pavilion building along Salthouse Quay, which will act as a gateway to the wider estate within Albert Dock.
In addition to this, the entire landscape along this important stretch of the estate will be redesigned and updated to open up the views and provide a more pedestrian-friendly arrival space that improves access to the waters edge and wider dock, improving the visitor experience of the large numbers of people who live, work, relax and enjoy the dock’s year-round programme of events, cultural attractions, restaurants, bars and shops.
The building will reconnect the middle ground between Albert Dock, Liverpool ONE and the wider city context.
The brief calls for a building that will serve as a ‘shop window’ for businesses and organisations located within the Dock, an information point that will showcase events throughout the year and allow people to dwell, before continuing their journey into Albert Dock.
Sue Grindrod, chief executive of Gower Street Estates, said: “The Dock is much loved by the public and continues to play a key role in the city’s evolution.
“That is why it is so important that the public are given this opportunity to gain a better understanding of what we are planning for the future, how our plans carefully respect the unique heritage and historic built environment of the Dock, and to have input in helping us shape the final plan.
“It is exciting to share these ambitious proposals as we begin to realise the masterplan that we have been working on for a number of years, to improve the visitor experience at Albert Dock, and to take Albert Dock into the next chapter of its already illustrious life.”
Peter Swift, managing partner, Planit-IE, said: “Planit-IE were commissioned in 2014 to prepare a vision document that sought to re-establish Albert Dock as the welcome mat for the whole of the Liverpool waterfront.
“This vision recognised the importance that a well designed, high quality, pedestrian focussed public realm would have on the future of the Dock and its ability to maintain its standing as a premier visitor attraction in the city.
“Retained to develop proposals for the Northern Gateway, Planit-IE are extremely proud to see the first phase of this vision come to fruition.”
Mark Davies, director of K2 Architects, added: “The building will blur the barriers between internal and external spaces, a seamless transition between building, landscape, and public art, but will remain respectful of the heritage that is deeply rooted in this magnificent collection of dock buildings.”
