Liverpool Central Library triumphs at property awards

LIVERPOOL’S revamped Central Library picked up the Project of the Year prize at last night’s RICS North West Awards.

Some 56 of the region’s property schemes vied for eight awards at the ceremony which was held at The Palace Hotel.

The judges felt Liverpool Central Library “more than satisfied” the criteria of a building designed to serve the community.

Since reopening in May 2013 it has welcomed over 400,000 visitors, more than double the amount of users in the same period prior to the redevelopment. The architect was Austin-S,ith: Lord and the contractor was Shepherd Robson.

The other winners were: Building Conservation – Manchester Town Hall; Commercial Property – Parcelford Hub, Chorley; Design Through Innovation – Number One Riverside, Rochdale; Infrastructure – Manchester Metrolink Phase 3A; Regeneration – Kensington Neighbourhood Health Centre, Liverpool; Residential Property – Broom Lane, Levenshulme; Tourism & Leisure – Liverpool Central Library, Liverpool.
 
Jane Lathwood, chair of the awards judging panel and associate at GVA, said: “Liverpool Central Library is a more than deserving winner of the RICS Awards Project of the Year 2014. It absolutely embodies the values that the judges look for in a development – it serves its users in a way that few other projects could and since opening, has proven itself at the heart of the community.
 
“The redevelopment of Liverpool Central Library is an object lesson to others on the right way to restore and refresh listed buildings, while making them fit for the future. The incredible reception it has been given by the people of Liverpool shows how valued it is. Since opening, Liverpool Central Library has become one of the city’s top attractions. The redevelopment should see it remain a beacon of knowledge and learning for the next 150 years.”