Beatles-linked fire station’s £8m resi conversion completes
Main contractor HMS has finished its refurbishment of the former Allerton Fire and Police Station – which is alluded to in the Fab Four’s song “Penny Lane”.
HMS built the 47 shared ownership homes for its sister company, housing association Torus.
Now known as Station Mews, the project off Mather Avenue comprises a mixture of three semi-detached houses, five townhouses, and 40 apartments. The semi-detached homes all have three bedrooms, while the terraced homes have either three or four. The flats are either one- or two-bedroom residences.
As part of the work, HMS was charged with retaining the fire station’s signature crest, its façade, and external walls.
HMS managing director Paul Worthington said: “This was a challenging, yet rewarding build, seeing the team incorporate modular technologies and traditional build techniques. However, seeing it complete and the intricacies of the build programme shine is really worth it.
“I can’t wait to welcome Station Mews’ latest residents to their new homes and see if this latest iteration of the building is lucky enough to be included in another song!”
Torus chief executive Steve Coffey also reflected on the building’s role in its community.
“Our communities are central to every development we undertake, and Station Mews clearly highlights our commitment to work with the fabric of the local area to create something unique and much needed,” Coffey said.
“I’m thrilled to be celebrating this major milestone with the team who worked so hard to transform a forgotten site into something that will continue to benefit the people of Allerton, reflecting the history of this unique building.”
Torus supplied much of the funding for the £8m project, with Homes England contributing £1.7m in grants.
Homes England senior manager Kate Collins said: “At Homes England, we are committed to supporting our partners to increase the supply of good quality affordable housing in the communities where they’re needed most. The development at Station Mews has transformed an otherwise neglected building into much-needed, good-quality, affordable new homes in Allerton.”
The project marks Torus and HMS’s second large-scale resi refurbishment and conversion – the first being the creation of 19 flats and 13 houses at the grade two-listed Ogden’s Tobacco Factory and Clock Tower in Everton.
They’ve done a nice job, there, but those strips of lawn present an obvious issue: who’s going to buy a lawnmower and bring it through their house just to tend them? Maybe have a whip-round between neighbours and buy one to share. Architects, eh?
By Penny Lane
I live in the area and have passed this project during the construction phase . The frontage onto Mather Ave is outstanding those involved should be applauded. Looks stunning , now completed this immediately becomes an asset to the surrounding area.
Now can we have the library over the road sorted please 🙂
Well done to all involved .
By Paul M - Woolton
We registered for one of these many months ago, we received emails telling us we would be invited soon to view the properties several times.
Then nothing, have they all been sold or part owned now?
By Allerton VIew
Fantastic scheme which has saved this landmark building and provides much needed affordable homes in this very desirable area . Well donectorus who are getting a reputation for saving landmark building.rockferry school is another good example
By George
I’m not a fan of the frontage of the development at all.
By Daniel Sausages
@Penny Lane, I believe the design is of Brazilian influence
By Anonymous
Good news this has completed and is a great use of an old building with a few modern touches. I wonder now if anyone can complete “the shelter in the middle of the roundabout” ie Penny Lane roundabout, it’s had builders materials and a ladder inside for years, and though someone added a 1st floor the promised cafe never opened, someone must own it?
By Anonymous
Worrying lack of parking for 47 residences…
By Anonymous
@Anon 4.34pm parking, I wouldn’t worry too much, people who need parking will choose not to live there, meanwhile plenty of people these days choose not to have a car. The public transport round there is good ie bus and train, anyway local authorities around the country are trying to discourage car use and Liverpool could help by building a proper tram system.
By Anonymous
I bet the neighbors across the road who were always unhappy are getting some peace now
By Nummo