Old Haymarket

The owners, Liverpool City Council, granted Urban Splash a 999-year lease on the site after they won the project through a development competition in 1996. The relationship between the Council and Urban Splash has been good and positive throughout. Liaison with the local authority was sought at an early stage, as the buildings are located within a designated conservation area, although only one of the buildings, Abbey Buildings, has listed status. The demolition of the decaying buildings took 12 weeks beginning in January 1998. Work then proceeded in tandem on refurbishment and construction of the new building. This was completed in March 2000. The architects for the project were Arkheion Architects, who were originally part of Urban Splash, but became a separate company in 1999. An in-house construction team was also used.

Urban Splash sold land adjacent to the new building to Travel Lodge who have built a distinctive hotel. Next to the hotel, Maritime Housing have built another part ownership block. Urban Splash have gained grant aid from the North West Development Agency to build a block designed by Shed KM in the remaining space, creating 80,000 sq ft of new office space. Negotiations are also underway to acquire a block of office and run-down warehouses owned by the local Magistrates Court which would be converted into more residential and retail units.

The next phase of the project, planned for completion in 2006, is further building on land at the rear of the triangular site comprising 50,000 sqft of commercial office space and a mini pocket park.