Liverpool Motion Picture Factory gets go-ahead
Liverpool Hope University has been given permission to convert the grade two-listed 2 Islington Square on the edge of its creative campus in Everton into a complex for its film and media students.
Audere BW Architects drew up plans for the university’s Motion Picture Factory. The conversion will see the building go back to its roots; 2 Islington Square was constructed in the 1830s as Wrenshall & Sons Musical Academy.
The plans had originally sought to demolish the annexe of the former furniture shop, which is in poor condition due to “years of neglect, poor management, and staggering water ingress”, according to the architect.
However, this part of the site will now be retained after discussions between the city council, the Georgian Society, and the university.
The architect’s design and access statement explains that “a lengthy consultation process with Liverpool City Council was undertaken, which ultimately concluded that the annex was to be retained despite the presentation of the costs of retention, extensive justification for the loss, and a rigorous internal and external building investigation”.
For the last 50 years, the building has been occupied by W Kelly & Sons, which built cabinets and other furniture.
The redevelopment of 2 Islington Square, approved 18 months after plans were first lodged, will provide additional space to Liverpool Hope University’s creative campus at a time of increased student numbers.
Other facilities at the campus include Cornerstone Building, Capstone Theatre, home to the music department, and The Arts Centre.
The university is also advancing plans for the InQuiry Building.
The project will see the university overhaul the lecture theatre complex within the Alexander Jones Building at its Hope Park campus in Childwall, part-demolishing the building and expanding the overall footprint.
Good news for the furthering the development of the media provision in Liverpool
By Liverpolitis
This will bring life and colour to Islington Square , and a few well placed trees would be a bonus.
Good to see a listed building back in use if only the universities could find a use for the Wellington Rooms on Mount Pleasant.
By Anonymous
Thanks for sharing this. During the planning application process, the proposal was revised in line with consultee comments and the Annex (previously demolished due to its condition and associated costs of repair), is now being retained. The extension is now to the rear of the building. Updated drawings, visuals, and justifications are within the application documents on the council website – please can the article be updated with this information?
By Anonymous
Hi Anonymous. Thanks for pointing this out. The story has now been updated to reflect the amendments. Thanks, Dan.
By Dan Whelan
Fantastic news and looks like an excellent design that can reinvigorate the area. Great work
By Anonymous
So how does this stack up against the development plans for the old Littlewoods building for a major movie centre ?
By Peter Jones
Pointless. We need offices and real jobs. This is just embarrassing.
By Gilly
It’s nice but I feel like it needs sponsorship from Aviva to make it a truely great cultural venue
By Levelling Up Manager
Ive lived by this most of my life and watched it deteriorate. I worked in it as a lad to and it was falling down around our ears. to be honest the building would be lost if the uni didnt buy it and i reckon it will cost a shilling to put right. but if you look at the pictures on the planing web site its actually really nicely done by the architects which is unusual for this city and its heritage assests. also the investigation in the design statement for access on the buildings history is really good.
By Old Liverpool
“Pointless”…11.16am….do you ever think how much the film and media industry generates globally? And students here will hope to play their part in that multi-billion dollar industry.
Yes we also need more offices and jobs, just like those hopefully created when the Littlewoods Studios are up and running.
By Anonymous
So pleased to see this saved – thank you Hope! Love this building! Hope have done a fab job with old SFX school and it looks amazing!
By Bob Dawson
nice looking building tbh like how its mixed old and new. LCC take note – it can be done! building was a mess as well so well done for having this foresight to make something from it and retain its identity as well on a street thats lost most if not all of its identity (thanks LCC again).
By django