Developer Legacie takes on student living scheme at former Odeon cinema in Liverpool that has been beset with delays since its start in 2014. Tony McDonough reports
Developer Elliot Group has sold its Paramount student living scheme on the site of the former Odeon cinema in Liverpool to Legacie Developments.
Pinnacle Student Developments and Blok Architecture brought forward the Paramount scheme fronting onto London Road in 2014. But both subsequently collapsed and work stopped in April 2016.
Elliot Group took on the project in July 2019, acquiring the site from administrators. It completed the scheme which comprises 488 units. The company says it is almost fully let to students for the autumn term.
On June 11 the Liverpool ECHO reported that around 160 units in the building had been stripped of all their furnishings. A consultant representing investors in the development said they were “concerned and confused”.
In reply, Elliot Group said it was necessary to strip some of the fixtures and fittings as they represented a fire hazard. It said some fittings had been put into storage but many were ruined by flood damage.
Speaking on Monday, Elliot Group founder Elliot Lawless said: “When we acquired the building its cladding had essentially been condemned, post-Grenfell. The roof was so leaky the basement had flooded and we needed to retrofit a sprinkler system.
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“Everything has now been put right and passed by the council’s building regulations team. It’s fair to say that this was one of our more challenging projects. Exchange was our 23rd successfully-completed project in Liverpool. We have delivered more than 2,500 units in the city alone.”
Paramount includes 150 basement car parking spaces, let to NCP. It also comprises a ground floor commercial unit and amenities for students such as a gymnasium and lounge areas.
In May Legacie Developments agreed to take on another Elliot Scheme. This was subject to the residential project in Falkner Street being approved by city councillors. However, the development was refused and Legacie told LBN it was “considering its options”.
is ‘considering its options’ after a Liverpool residential scheme it was due to acquire was turned down by city councillors – despite planners recommending approval
LBN has contacted Legacie Developments for comment.