Designs revealed for Wirral Waters Maritime Knowledge Hub

Peel has outlined its plans for a Maritime Knowledge Hub at Wirral Waters, designed by Danish architect Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Liverpool-based Ellis Williams Architects.

The £20m project will restore the existing grade two-listed hydraulic tower and engine house at the centre of the Wirral Waters site, along with a new-build extension, to act as a centre for marine enterprise, skills, and culture.

The development is being brought forward by Peel Land & Property in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, Mersey Maritime, and Wirral Council.

The hydraulic tower was modelled on the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence but is largely derelict having been bomb-damaged during World War Two.

Schmidt Hammer Lassen will act as concept architect while Ellis Williams will be delivery architect, and both will be led by Parkinson, which is masterplanner for the 500-acre Wirral Waters site.

Morten Schmidt, founding partner of Schmidt Hammer Lassen, said: “Designing a complex that is one of the most transformative new developments in the Liverpool region called for thoughtful architectural design that respects the heritage of the existing building, while looking towards the future”.

“Our design brings the hydraulic tower back to life while creating an architectural expression that connects new and old through beautiful courtyards, a unifying façade, and complementary building volumes.”

Richard Mawdsley, director of development for Wirral Waters at Peel Land and Property, added: “The design of the Hub and the regeneration of the tower has to be something truly special with education, industry and culture at its very core. The tower is a very important local asset, full of history and heritage and it’s only right that it takes centre stage of the Wirral Waters regeneration project.”

The Maritime Hub is the latest project to be brought forward at Wirral Waters this year, following planning applications for a £6m office block and a dementia care scheme, put forward in March and April respectively.

Peel also outlined three major schemes that were due to come forward in 2018 at the MIPIM property conference, held in March this year.

These include a 70,000 sq ft speculative industrial project with developer Harlex; a £55m, 347-home development in a joint venture with Urban Splash; and the £90m Wirral Waters One, which will provide 500 apartments.