Developers add to strategic waterfront plot with acquisition deal

Two developers behind plans for a 35-storey waterfront tower in Liverpool have consolidated their land holding on the plot, the King Edward Triangle regeneration zone.

Liverpool-based KEIE and Beetham first unveiled their proposal in April this year on a site next to Peel’s Liverpool Waters development.

Now, KEIE has acquired an engineering works on Paisley Street, next to the King Edward Industrial Estate, from owner PMR Engineering Services Limited, for an undisclosed sum.

The occupiers have been winding down their business for some while and have agreed to vacate the premises within 18 months while the scheme’s wider master planning continues.

Beetham chairman, Hugh Frost, said: “This is a key piece in our site assembly, paving the way for our wider masterplan.

“The market is naturally very excited about our plans and we’ll be revealing more in due course.

“For now, we are focused on consolidating our position with a number of leaseholders and dealing with the challenges of deciding on scale, massing and building uses across the proposed redevelopment.”

The site, known as the Empress Works, runs for most of the length of Paisley Street and largely consists of two-storey brick-built 19th century workshops under gable roofs.

Hugh Frost added: “The site book-ends the scheme and will be a key gateway as much as an expression of our ambitions. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes since our last announcement and are looking forward to sharing further detail in due course.”

KEIE is part of TJ Morris, the Liverpool-based retail group, which has partnered with Beetham to bring the prime city development site forward.

Beetham is best known for redefining the skylines of Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham.

Luke Taylor, from Brabners, acted for TJ Morris on the acquisition, with Ian Millington of HM3 Law acting for the vendor.