Views sought on £100m Liverpool business district residential development

A public consultation has launched on plans for a £100m residential development in Liverpool’s Old Hall Street business district.

The scheme, designed by Liverpool architects, Falconer Chester Hall, involves two mid-rise towers of 25 and 19 storeys, located at the junction with Leeds Street, the site of a former computer centre operated by retail group Littlewoods.

A dedicated web site – packagedlivingliverpool.co.uk – showcases the designs and will enable the public to leave feedback. Scheme architect Adam Hall says the ambition is to submit a planning application for the development in September 2023.

He said: “We have enjoyed a very collaborative set of meetings with Liverpool Council and now it is time to ask the public what they think. The proposals envisage a high quality development that will offer a fitting book-end to Liverpool’s thriving commercial district.”

The proposals, from developer Packaged Living, will see 434 rental apartments delivered across the two buildings, should consent be granted.

The project will provide much needed accommodation for those looking to rent in central Liverpool. A mix of one-, two- and three-bed homes, the development will offer stunning views west to Snowdonia and north to Blackpool Tower and the Lake District fells.

Development manager, Edwina Coward, of Packaged Living, said: “The site’s location makes it highly sustainable for those seeking to make use of Liverpool’s extensive public transport infrastructure.

“Today’s city centre resident is increasingly living, working and spending leisure time in the city and embracing car clubs, public transport, walking and cycling.

The scheme will provide comprehensive resident amenities, including resident lounges, co-working space and a rooftop terrace.

Ms Coward added: “We’re putting a lot of focus on the ground floor landscaping and uses to make this a place where people will want to dwell, as well as aesthetically enhancing this junction as the northern gateway into Liverpool city centre.

“The whole scheme focuses on high quality design and materials palettes and we’re looking forward to engaging with the public.”

The consultation web site will remain open for two weeks, closing for comments on July 26.

The development is expected to take two-and-a-half years to construct.

The scheme is on the historic site of the former Blundell & Sons coal yard, which serviced barges using the adjacent terminus of the Leeds-Liverpool canal, which ran past the site and around the corner onto Old Hall Street.

The listed former lock-keepers’ cottages, built in 1800, now form part of the Radisson Blu hotel development and are the only remaining evidence of the canal’s presence this far into the city centre.