Plans submitted for new look Chinatown
PLANS for the transformation of Liverpool’s Chinatown, including 800 apartments, 120,000 sq ft of retail space and a 140-bed hotel, have been submitted to the city council.
The application comes less than two months after a development and design team made up of Chinatown Development Company, PHD 1 Construction and BLOK Architecture with support from UKTI Regeneration Investment Organisation was selected as preferred developers for the land at Great George Street.
Chair of Chinatown Development Company’s parent company North Point Global, Peter McInnes, said: “During the bidding process it was clear that the mayor and city council wanted rapid progress on a key site that has been vacant for too long. It was equally important that we took time to listen and consult with local people and come up with a development that realises the potential of this hugely important site on the edge of Chinatown.”
The design and development team has held a series of face to face meetings with local businesses and community groups as well as holding public exhibitions at Parr Street Studios and The Pagoda Community Centre.
Lead Architect for the scheme Antonio Garcia said he is delighted by the positive response to the proposed development.
He said:“From the outset we believed that the site needed a bold and ambitious solution that would re-invent and regenerate Chinatown. We need to capture and express the energy of Chinese culture and commerce and create a vibrant new destination in the city centre.”
McInnes added: “There is massive enthusiasm and excitement in China about this project. Liverpool is home to Europe’s oldest Chinatown and the city has a strong brand and profile in China. We want to build on that to create a destination that is completely.”
The consultation and engagement process is set to continue during the planning phase.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, said: “This site has tremendous potential to breathe new life into the wider area, creating new homes and jobs. The developer has come up with some extremely innovative ideas around developing links with China and the universities to bring a completely new commercial and retail offer to the area.”
A decision on the planning application is likely to be made before the end of November with work on phase 1 due to start before the end of this year.
