Davos ties up approval for Ropewalks apartments
Liverpool City Council has granted consent for the development of 88 city centre flats. The planning committee voted six to two in favour of the application.
The apartments – offering a mix of 37 one-bed, 46 two-bed, and five three-bed flats – will be built at 118-126 Duke Street on a site that was bought by Davos Property Developments in 2022. Davos is owned by TJ Morris founder Tom Morris and the firm’s property director Dave Little.
The part-five, part-seven, and part-eight storey building will also host a multi-level 3,800 sq ft commercial space and a bar on its ground floor and incorporate the existing grade two-listed Georgian terraces on the site.
The L-shaped block will feature a roof terrace with green space and seating, while street access will be highlighted by a colonnade, which will shelter residents as they enter their homes.
None of the proposed properties will be affordable. 15% of apartments will be wheelchair accessible.
The site’s most recent use was as a nightclub, but now has suffered fire damage and is in structural decline.
LCC’s desire to address the problematic buildings aided Davos’ application. The city council has been keen to restore the buildings whilst preserving their heritage.
Jack Farrell, associate at Falconer Chester Hall and lead architect for the scheme, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to breathe new life into these historic buildings, blending the preservation of Liverpool’s Georgian architecture with thoughtful, modern design.
“We are thrilled to have worked on a project that contributes to the city’s ongoing regeneration.”
Dave Little, property director at Davos, praised the effort of all involved and affirmed his commitment to the creation of modern and vibrant homes for the community.
Turley acted as planning consultants on the project.
Andrew Bickerdike, director and head of Northern planning at Turley, added: “This is a challenging and sensitive site and one which has required careful handling to ensure the development celebrates and reveals the area’s heritage whilst enabling the provision of residential accommodation which meets the highest standards of design and quality fit for a location of such profile.”
Other firms which contributed to the scheme are Roger Hannah, CPV, Orion Fire, Wardell Armstrong, Mason Navarro Pledge, Farrow Walsh Consulting, and Red Acoustics.
To view the application, use the reference number 23F/2220 on LCC’s planning portal.
Good decision by LCC
By Liverpool4Progress
Good news. The council should be throwing its arms wide open to Davos. After all, how many other resident billionaires are there in the city, able and willing to drive its regeneration? If I were Liam Robinson I’d be scheduling a monthly lunch with Tom Morris to discuss how the council can help him take the city’s economy to the next level.
By Anonymous
Why did two of the committee members vote against the recommendation for approval?
By Anonymous
This is great news, wonder why two voted against and what was their reasoning? We need more homes and we need buildings such as these saving so what’s not to like?
By GetItBuilt!
The right decision, this proposal has lingered for too long in it`s present and previous format, hoping they are on site very soon.
Would love to know who the 2 councillors were who voted against and why, can`t think of any sound reason to oppose this as there are no other serious developers interested, it`s just pure political posturing and not in the interests of the city and the need for growth.
By Anonymous
Looks a decent building, reflects the neighbouring buildings.
By George
Excellent news for the city , it looks a quality scheme delivered by a local and reputable company a refreshing change for the years of stalled sites . Tom Morris should be applauded for his contribution to getting prime sites moving , lets also remember his other flagship site near the echo office. Hopefully this will be a catalyst for further quality and funded projects .
By Paul M - Woolton
For those wondering who the two councillors were who wanted this refused, and why -a motion to refuse permission on the grounds of “scale and aesthetics of the buildings” was put forward by Councillor Pat Moloney (Liberal Democrat) and seconded by Councillor Billy Lake (Liberal Group). The committee is made up of 11 councillors. In addition to those who sought refusal, there is one other Lib Dem and the rest are Labour.
By HoldThemAccountable
Amazing that the 2 opponents used the excuse of ” scale and aesthetics “, to try and block this proposal, it’s only 8 floors for gods sake, and as far as it’s looks are concerned what do they want a perfect pastiche . The Duke St area has made great strides over the last few decades with a mix of new build and re-use of period properties and this scheme will be a positive addition. If I recall Councillor Lake has a track record of opposing and blocking proposals and this just another example.
By Anonymous
A superb suggestion annon @ 11.49 .
By Paul M - Woolton
Nice development. Materials work, scale is good, nice big windows with deep reveals and nice detailing on the frames. 100% correct decision to pass it. It would have been nice if they could have used light grey or white for the string course OR at the top of the brick columns, which would have tied it visually into the Georgian terrace a bit more, but
I’m being picky.
By Anonymous
Will they use Real Bricks or Stick on Brick Tiles?
By John Lynn