Forrest picked by Iliad in Liverpool

Forrest has been chosen by Iliad to build a Ropewalks apartment scheme as the Bolton-based contractor continues a run of Liverpool project wins with its maiden scheme for the locally-based developer.

The firm, which has also in recent months won contracts on Elliot Group’s Aura scheme and Plaza 1821 at Liverpool Waters, has started preparing the site ahead of a 75-week build programme.

The scheme, designed by Tim Groom Architects and billed as The Eight Building, forms phase two of Iliad’s St Michael’s project and will bring 120 apartments to the area.

The site features one of the three ventilation shafts still visible along the line of the Wapping Tunnel and has been designed to retain views of the shaft throuh the site, which is intended as a bridge between the Ropewalks and the Baltic Triangle.

Shaun Jones, construction director at Forrest, told Place North West: “It’s our first scheme with Iliad, and we’re really looking forward to working with them. As a site, it has its challenges, including a redundant service tunnel, but with the expertise the Forrest team has I’m sure we’ll cope admirably.”

In November last year, an £11.2m loan was secured from the Merseyside Pension Fund for the scheme, marking the first investment for the MPF’s Catalyst Fund. The first phase at S Michael’s, comprising accommodation for 260 students, was delivered in 2013.