Liverpool One – regeneration, not just shopping
The redevelopment of 17 hectares at the heart of a city centre offers a rare opportunity to create a genuinely new place. CABE was involved with the Liverpool One project for six years.
Way ahead
CABE provided design advice on the masterplan and design approach for significant buildings at Liverpool One.
Liverpool One by BDP Architects © David Millington Photography Ltd
We considered an early proposal by another developer to be inward looking and low quality. Our opposition helped to ensure the proposal was rejected at planning. A new scheme integrated the development far more successfully with the city.
Liverpool’s assistant executive director of regeneration, Mike Burchnall, believes that CABE’s fundamental concerns about the earlier retail scheme paved the way for a better project: ‘CABE helped the city council to develop a scheme that would contribute to regeneration as well as provide shopping facilities. We received some good handson design advice from them on the masterplan and design approach for significant buildings.’
CABE was also concerned about plans for a large bus station. But we advised that work on the rest of the masterplan should continue while a new solution was created to link the city centre and the waterfront better. This pragmatic approach was appreciated by Rod Holmes, formerly of Grosvenor Estates and now chair of the Mersey Partnership: ‘CABE’s sensible advice helped to keep the project on track. We never felt CABE was a hurdle. From day one we felt part of a new urban agenda, and heading in the same direction. And when the secretary of state considered the scheme for public inquiry, CABE’s almost unqualified support was very important indeed.’
Liverpool One was delivered in time for the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008. It includes 580 apartments, two department stores and a 14-screen cinema. Since it opened, footfall to Albert Dock has increased by 42 per cent. The masterplan is shortlisted for the 2009 Stirling Prize.
We never felt CABE was a hurdle. From day one we were heading in the same direction. When the secretary of state considered the scheme for public inquiry, CABE’s almost unqualified support was very important indeed.
Rod Holmes, formerly of Grosvenor Estates and now chair of the Mersey Partnership
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