400,000 sq ft Liverpool project is a joint venture between Kier Property, CTP and Liverpool City Council and will include grade A offices, leisure/retail space and a hotel. Tony McDonough reports
A new image of Liverpool’s proposed Pall Mall £200m office and leisure development has been released revealing a new green space at the heart of the scheme.
The 400,000 sq ft project behind Exchange Station is a joint venture between Kier Property, CTP and Liverpool City Council and will include grade A offices, leisure/retail space and a hotel.
There has been criticism that the scheme would see the loss of small area of parkland behind Exchange Station, Bixteth Gardens, that is currently a popular lunchtime spot for local office workers.
The new computer-generated image shows the project will include a green space to replace Bixteth Gardens that the developers claim will offer double the number of trees and three times more planting with additional public realm incorporated into the design.
However, local campaigners still insist the plans will still see the green space cut by a third.
Designed by award-winning landscape architects re-form, the green square will provide a focal point for visitors with new pedestrian walkways. It will also feature a pavilion that could be used as a café or restaurant while ground floor office space is earmarked for complementary retail or leisure.
Tom Gilman of Kier said: “We know that Bixteth Gardens is well-used by workers and residents during the day which is why the green square sits at the heart of the development.
“We want it to be a thriving space within the city that can be used during the day and also at night and weekends with entertainment such as cinema screenings, performances and markets. We want it to be somewhere to relax and socialise throughout the year for workers, residents and visitors alike.”
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, added: “This Pall Mall scheme is of huge importance to the development of our Commercial District as we need grade A+ office space to attract blue chip companies and highly-skilled jobs to the city.
“I’m encouraged by the green square designs as the quality of the public realm will be critical to the scheme’s success. I’m confident when complete it will set a new benchmark which will help inform the new masterplan and shape the wider development of the district.”