Developer CERT Property nears completion on the conversion of a prominent former office building in Liverpool city centre to a residential complex – a scheme that was twice turned down for planning consent. Tony McDonough reports

Manchester developer CERT Property is close to completion on a multi-million pound office-to-residential conversion in Liverpool city centre.

CERT secured planning consent on the 27,000 sq ft Centric House in Moorfields in September 2024 at the third attempt. Councillors had twice refused the application despite planning officers recommending approval.

There was concern about the lack of affordable units among the 46 one and two-bed apartments. However, the firm eventually secured approval via so-called ‘under permitted development rights’. These can be used to override the objections of the local authority.

CERT acquired Centric House in 2018, paying £3.3m. The building had previously been occupied by banking giant Barclays but it had moved out more than a decade ago.

In an attempt to attract occupiers it spent more than £200,000 to upgrade the office accommodation. However, the space has never achieved an occupancy above 15% and CERT has had to pay annual running costs of £192,000.

Viability constraints meant that the scheme could not provide any affordable homes, a justification that Liverpool’s viability consultants and planning team had accepted.

As well as the apartments Centric House will also offer a resident community lounge, secure underground parking and bike-storage provision approved.

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This development will provide a welcome lift to Moorfields which has suffered significant decay in recent years. Running from Tithebarn Street to Dale Street the area has become tired and rundown.

However, a facelift for Moorfields Merseyrail station is brightening up the street and the completion of the apartments will also provide a boost for the area.