£1bn development close to Liverpool waterfront backed by Home Bargains billionaire Tom Morris will include the city’s tallest-ever building, 2,750 homes, 200,000 sq ft of office space and a new events arena. Tony McDonough reports
A new document reveals a new 25,000 sq ft events arena will form part of the Davos and Beetham’s £1bn skyscraper cluster close to Liverpool waterfront.
Earlier this year Davos Property Developments and Beetham Group revealed plans to build 10 high-rise residential buildings, one rising to more than 60 storeys, one what is currently the King Edward Industrial Estate.
Now it is revealed the scheme, backed by Home Bargains billionaire Tom Morris, will comprise 2,750 apartments, 200,000 sq ft of office space, a new 25,000 sq ft events arena and 250,000 sq ft of commercial leisure, retail, and food and beverage space.
These latest details are included in a report to be discussed at Liverpool City Council‘s cabinet next week. This masterplan has been submitted ahead of a planning application later this year.
This report seeks authority for the council to enter into a conditional sale agreement for land at Great Howard Street which comprises land within the site of the proposed development. The proposed disposal will be to the freeholder KEIE, a Tom Morris investment vehicle.
Subject to planning consent, the tallest of the towers would rise to 60 storeys plus – far taller than anything ever built in Liverpool before. The development would also include a five-star hotel.
Both the arena and office space are significant additions to the original plan. A lack of grade A office space in and around the city’s commercial district has long been a drag on the city’s economy. This would represent a major step forward.
Officers are recommending the sale of the land and support for the project. In the report they say: “The disposal of the land will support the delivery of the King Edward Triangle development.
“This will assist in the discharge of the council’s statutory obligation to meet housing demand for the future. The decision will support the council’s core objectives and is aligned to the city plan in terms of housing, jobs, growth and investment.
“The proposed mixed use development will substantially increase council tax and rates revenue for the city. It will create a new destination to support the diversification of the wider economy.
“Inclusion of the land within the wider site, by way of a disposal to the adjacent owner, will maximise the development capacity of the council’s land. This will increase the housing delivered on this site, as well as deliver a substantial capital receipt.”
In June Davos submitted its first planning application to build a 28-storey residential tower on one of the plots. Councillors on the city’s planning committee are expected to give a decision on that this autumn.
In September LBN revealed Davos had submitted another application to the council seeking permission to demolish a collection of unlisted buildings around the northern boundary of the eight-acre site.