Planning application in for new Welcome Pavilion at Albert Dock Liverpool

A planning application for a new Welcome Pavilion to be built at Albert Dock has been submitted to Liverpool City Council.

It is the first phase of a masterplan to upgrade the grade I-listed estate.

Gower Street Estates, freehold owner of Albert Dock, proposes a glass structure on Salthouse Quay, covering a total floor space of 4,300 sq ft (including outside canopy space), that will not only act as a welcome, information and event space, but also celebrate and showcase the history and heritage of Albert Dock with curated content through multi-media platforms.

The scheme also includes improvements to the public realm of the area to open up views of the UNESCO World Heritage waterfront and provide a more pedestrian-friendly arrival space for visitors.

The scheme will reconnect the middle ground between Albert Dock, Liverpool ONE and the wider city context.
Landscape architect Planit-IE was first commissioned in 2014 to draw up a blueprint for the future development of Albert Dock, with the Welcome Pavilion, designed by K2 Architects, later added and representing the first phase in the delivery of the masterplan.

The planning application was developed following public and stakeholder consultation back in September 2017, with Arup’s planning team leading on the submission.

Sue Grindrod, chief executive of Gower Street Estates, said: “While we recognise and respect the important role Albert Dock has played in the fortunes of the city over the years, our focus is very much to the future and how we position Albert Dock as an internationally-recognised attraction fit for the visitors of tomorrow.

“The proposals for the Welcome Pavilion demonstrate our commitment to a long-term strategy of investment in the infrastructure of the dock, that not only respects the unique heritage and historic built environment but brings about much-needed improvements to the visitor experience.

“We are very excited at what lies ahead for our beloved Dock and we are so grateful for the enormous team effort in getting to this stage.”

Mark Davies, director of K2 Architects, said: “The chance to work alongside Gower Street Estates to deliver the Welcome Pavilion is a hugely exciting opportunity.

“Albert Dock is a unique place, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and loved by locals and tourists alike. Our designs for the new Welcome Pavilion aim to improve the experience for Albert Dock’s six million visitors each year and ensure it continues to play a key role in Liverpool’s progression.”

Alongside K2 Architects and Planit-IE, Arup has acted as structural and civil engineers, and planning consultants for the project.

Walker Sime (project managers), Steven A Hunt & Associates (MEP engineers), Curtins (highways engineers) and Rob Burns (heritage consultant) complete the design team for the scheme.

The Welcome Pavilion responds to the ambitions of Albert Dock 175 – a robust strategy that will assert the Dock’s position as a world-class, leisure destination, counting up to a year of celebration in 2021 – 175 years since the Dock was officially opened by Prince Albert.