Contractors have started work on the iconic waterfront building to create 43,000 sq ft of office space as well as a new restaurant, coffee shop, bar, gym and cycle facilities. Tony McDonough reports
Work has started on a project to create another 43,000 sq ft of office space at the world-famous Royal Liver Building on Liverpool’s waterfront.
The grade A accommodation will be delivered over the ground, mezzanine and first floors, with accommodation on the first floor available by October this year and the transformation will also include a new restaurant, coffee shop, bar, gym and cycle facilities.
Luxembourg-based investment firm Corestate paid £48m for the Grade I-listed building, formerly owned by Royal Liver and then Royal London, in February 2017 with Everton FC’s biggest shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, contributing almost £30m to the deal.
Since the acquisition there has been a push to maximise the value of the Grade I-listed building.
Earlier this year a new attraction, RLB360, welcomed visitors into the Royal Liver and allowed them to experience the panoramic views from its clock tower for the first time. So far, it has attracted tens of thousands of paying customers.
Contractors are now on site for the latest phase of work and the scheme is on track to be completed by November 2019. Developed and managed by property consultancy CBRE, the Liver will house a wide variety of office space in addition to social and community offerings all under one roof.
This phase of works includes the creation of an open plan, mixed use concourse with mezzanine and gallery spaces which opens up the entire ground floor area. A combination of small and large office suites from 500 sq ft to 43,000 sq ft will be offered across three floors which have been designed to accommodate a wide range of companies from micro businesses to SMEs.
Planning consent was obtained earlier this year for a restaurant and café/bar with CBRE leisure agents currently seeking suitable operators for the space. Neil Kirkham, director, CBRE’s office agency team in Liverpool, said: “This really is a pivotal moment in the history of The Royal Liver Building.
“The work that has now commenced on site, really will reposition the offer of the building and experience to both occupiers and visitors alike. Opening up the building and creating new reception areas will provide a real sense of arrival in the building.
“In addition to this the new amenities on offer including coffee shops/bar, restaurant, break out areas, touchdown work zones and more formal meeting rooms will really provide tenants with a complete 360 office experience.”