Bentry hopes for Q4 start on revived Liverpool scheme
The investor expects to start work this year on the first phase of Abbey Row, a project originally advanced by YPG at Gildart Street.
As reported previously by Place, Mellior Group picked up the site in 2023, and undertook a redesign the following year, which took the overall number of apartments down from 419 to 367.
Initially taken forward by YPG, the two-phase Fabric Village project stalled in 2021 after two vehicles attached to the scheme – YPG Investar Islington House and YPG Fabric Residence – entered administration.
The site is now controlled by London-based Bentry Capital, which intends to deliver through Mellior, its in-house construction arm. Bentry is also behind an £80m, 200-home Salford project, acquiring a site overlooking the River Irwell for £12m last year from J2 Corporation.
With approval long confirmed for its tweaked plans in Liverpool, the issue of Gateway 2 approval remains to be cleared before work can begin in earnest. The scheme is 10 storeys at its highest point.
Gateway 2 approval is the final hurdle. Credit: Bentry Capital
Bentry told Place that Mellior Construction had a positive meeting with the BSR Gateway team last week, with the group now in “what are believed to be the final regulatory comments with them with the clearance determination dates at the start of September”.
Subject to formal approval, Bentry expects to commence imminently with construction on site at the start of Q4 2026 on a first phase that will deliver 241 homes. This is already more than 70% pre-sold through Elite Realty Invest, with Savills also appointed as joint agent.
Once complete, Abbey Row will provide a concierge, residents’ gym, private cinema, co-working lounge, rooftop terrace, landscaped communal spaces and integrated retail.
Though necessary BSR is proving a nightmare for construction in Liverpool (and elsewhere I suppose). We have so many schemes being held up, including the Packaged Living blocks, the Davos 28 storey scheme on Waterloo Rd, Legacie’s scheme at the bottom of Leeds St, plus a number of others, it’s very annoying and something has to be done to speed up this process.
By Anonymous
So what happens to all the off plan buyers if the BSR refuses gateway 2 approval? Are conveyancing solicitors advising their clients on these risks?
By Anonymous
So this application 24NM/2890 was approved by planning with nearly 85% single bedroom apartments – even higher than the originally approved application 18F/0347 with just over 83% single bedrooms.
How come this is allowed to happen – described as a non-material amendment. Given the large number of unoccupied single bed apartments across the city surely this should have had more scrutiny. [18F/0347 was approved at the council planning meeting on 19/02/2019 and 24NM/2890 approved by the planning office on 18/11/2024 more than 5 years later].
Presumably the council was less worried about re-examining this because it will include no car parking spaces. Who is going to want to live there?
By Anonymous
In Liverpool’s case, beggars can’t be choosers.
By Anonymous
It is somewhat peculiar for a developer to announce that BSR Gateway 2 approval is imminent, rather than waiting the remaining three weeks until approval is actually granted.
By Anonymous
@ Anon 1.52pm. Been an ongoing saga since 2018 it’s now 2026, something needs to be built here and this developer wants to build. Do you notice anyone else queueing up to take on this site, in fact we have sites all over our city centre just inexplicably laying idle for years, like Seel St/Slater St, Moorfields, Chapel St, Renshaw St, London Rd lower, etc.
We now hear the proposed hotel at the bottom of James St won’t be built and that’s been ongoing for 7 years so add that one to the list.
By Anonymous
70% of the first phase is sold.
By David
RE David at 3:42
Selling might mean to investors who have been convinced by promised returns but then might find the market is flooded and they can’t get enough tenants.
By Anonymous
Everywhere being redeveloped in and around Liverpool but what’s happening with the vacant land between china town and the Baltic?? It’s a eyesore.
By Kevin Rowan