Liverpool picks team for Kings Dock regeneration
BDP and Faithful+Gould have been picked to draw up plans to transform eight acres of the city’s waterfront.
Liverpool City Council wants to see the remaining vacant sites at Kings Dock redeveloped into a “residential-led, mixed-use development of international standard in design and sustainability, with the potential for a major cultural and/or leisure venue”.
Architect BDP will lead on design and Faithful+Gould is the development manager for the project.
The firms have been tasked with drawing up a masterplan for the clutch of sites and obtaining planning approval, at which point the city council will market the plots for sale.
The city council’s brief also requires the creation of a design code centred around an “ecosystem-based approach” that respects the heritage of the dock, and increases the overall biodiversity connectivity, and inclusivity of the waterfront.
“This site marks the final chapter in the regeneration of the King’s Dock site and as such is a unique opportunity for Liverpool to create a world-leading waterfront development, rooted in quality and defined by sustainability,” said Cllr Sarah Doyle, cabinet member for development and economy.
“I’m delighted we’ve appointed such a talented and experienced team to deliver this first phase in this development. There is a huge amount of work to be done and it needs to be carefully plotted out with the full engagement of local residents and stakeholders.”
She added: “The next two years will define the rest of the century for this site – and we need to ensure any scheme that comes forward is environmentally, socially and economically viable.”
So far, Kings Dock has seen the delivery of the 11,000-capacity M&S Bank Arena, a convention centre that includes a 1,350-seat conference auditorium, and the 90,000 sq ft Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
A 1,450-space multistorey car park, a central public plaza, 1,800 homes and three hotels also occupy the site.
The final phase of the project is supported by a £1m loan from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said he is looking forward to seeing the scheme progress.
“Liverpool’s waterfront is already one of our region’s most iconic landmarks – and the council’s ambitious plans to expand King’s Dock are testament to the strong appetite and growth the city is seeing in its recovery,” he said.
“We have invested £1m into its expansion, to ensure that it can continue to grow, create new jobs and strengthen our economy, hopefully acting as a catalyst for further investment in the area. I can’t wait to see the masterplan take shape – to see the next chapter in this area’s story.”
The project team reacts
Peter Jackson, North West head of property at Faithful+Gould said: “This is such an important development for the city of Liverpool and wider North West region as this final stage will deliver on multiple fronts for residents living and working here.
“At Faithful+Gould we are passionate about projects that deliver real social value on the ground and the Kings Dock regeneration has social value at its core. We will also be drawing on our wide-ranging expertise in development management to support the client’s ambitions and ensure sustainability is locked in at every stage.”
Mark Braund, architect director and head of BDP’s Liverpool studio said: “This is one of the best sites along the waterfront of Liverpool, it offers huge potential to the city and the wider region.
“Kings Dock is a place that has a diverse context, from performance venue to historic docks, residential neighbourhoods and creative districts. We feel proud to be helping Liverpool shape the vision and masterplan and we are looking forward to engaging with the community over the coming months to help shape the future of the site.”
Really hope that something of real quality emerges from all this, as something dynamic and eye-catching is needed on our waterfront, however not sure why there needs to be
” full engagement” with local residents as probably we will just hear negativity about building styles, height, and heritage, and as regards the latter there is none round there.
Can`t the planners, architects, and any developers just get on with things as they are the professionals. Remembers how the I.M.Pei building on Liverpool One was messed around with and had about 8 floors lopped off.
The councillor says this will be the final chapter in the regeneration of Kings Dock but has she forgotten about the site where the car park was demolished after the appalling fire 3-4 years ago opposite the arena, that is still empty with no sign of any re-development.
By Anonymous
With the ACC showing it’s great flexibility with the three venues in one and being awarded Eurovision because of this, let us please hope they further enhance the facilities there to strengthen and expand the appeal of the ACC so it can stay ahead of it’s rivals. This should be their first priority. We can only hope they do?
By Liverpolitis
@Anon, it looks as though plot C is the old carpark site that forms part of this plan but I agree it should be first focus as it looks a mess. Would be good if they could find a way increase the arena capacity but I doubt that will be feasible. It’s great arena, but an extra 3-4000 to the capacity would be good.
By L17
Correction above; it was the Cesar Pelli building , not I.M.Pei ( dreaming of Paris too much), also they have included the demolished car park , it`s plot G.
By Anonymous
monotonous 6 storey buildings incoming…
By mike
Yes they need some quality on these sites , maybe high end jobs as well as leisure and residential….But they need to get on with it this must be the third design team to look at this key area ….and long delays always seem to occurs
By George
I think you will find that plot G is The Block apartments buildings x 2
By Anonymous
This has been talked about for years ???????? oh please
By Anonymous