Liverpool office sale nears; flats conversion planned

Fortis Developments has exchanged contracts to buy a 15-storey office in Liverpool city centre from Commercial Estates Group, and has announced plans for a £25m conversion into apartments.

Fortis is bringing forward the office-to-resi refurbishment of Silkhouse Court on Tithebarn Street under permitted development rights, in which planning permission is automatically granted for certain types of projects. Fortis’ lawyers have already obtained a Certificate of Lawfulness for the project, according to the developer.

The building will be converted into 193 buy-to-let apartments by Fortis Developments and Knight Knox.

The scheme is being brought forward in conjunction with Elite City Living.

The furnished flats will range from studios to large one- and two-bedroom apartments, and amenities are set to include an on-site gymnasium, secure bicycle storage and a concierge service, and 48 private parking spaces.

The project is due for completion in the second quarter of 2017.

Andy Phillips, commercial director at Knight Knox, said: “Liverpool is one of the country’s top buy-to-let investment hotspots and we’re thrilled to be providing the area with premium residential property and attractive investment opportunities.

“We’re confident that Silkhouse Court will prove to be another hugely popular Fortis-led scheme in Liverpool, an innovative modern business city with a thriving artistic culture and a famous maritime history.”

The building will be let by Fortis Lettings & Management and managed by Fortis Estate Management.