Council appoints team to lead expansion of Liverpool’s business district
Moves to extend Liverpool’s 40-acre business district have progressed after Liverpool City Council announced a team to masterplan the project.
Consultancy Arup, architect Shedkm, heritage consultant Rob Burns, and property consultant Worthington Owen have been appointed to produce a spatial regeneration framework (SRF) to attract new commercial investment and maximise the potential of the existing business district north of the city.
One of the aims is to provide more grade A office space, which is in short supply in the current commercial district.
There are plans for large office schemes including Pall Mall, to the rear of Exchange Station, and at Liverpool Waters. However, current grade A rents are seen as too low to attract speculative development.
The city council, together with the Commercial District BID and other public and private sector partners, are jointly commissioning the SRF which will give the council’s planning authority the ability to review and determine how different land uses can work together.
The proposed area will include Pall Mall, where Kier Property and CTP are delivering a 400,000 sq ft office-led commercial development.
It is also intended that it links with Peel Land & Property’s £5bn Liverpool Waters scheme, which also has the potential to house new-build offices.
The council agreed to put £100,000 towards preparing the masterplan at a cabinet meeting in May this year, and the intention is to have the first draft of the masterplan prepared by next month.
Garry Banks, director of Arup, said: “The team we have brought together to deliver this strategically important piece of work have a long and successful track record of working in the city.
“This project must enable the proactive development of the commercial district in a strategic and cohesive way and must connect the district, not just to emerging areas but to existing neighbourhoods to help the continued enhancement of Liverpool city centre.
“Working with all partners and stakeholders we will deliver an SRF that will support the creation of a vibrant and successful commercial district that can help attract the high value, high skill jobs that will support the city and wider City Region growth objectives.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson added: “This is a vital piece of work because we all need to ensure the district remains a vital cog in our commercial economy for the next 20 years and I look forward to Arup and the team providing an approach that addresses these challenges in a way that will underpin the future of one our major employment zones.”
Bill Addy, chief executive, Liverpool BID Company, added: “The commercial district is a key instrument for growth in the city region and the BID is making a significant investment of private money into this SRF because the private sector understands the importance of a thriving district bringing sustainable employment in the professional and financial services sectors,supporting the hotels and restaurants of the city.”
