North Point agrees deal to buy Tribeca site off Urban Splash

Plans for the regeneration of a five-acre site next to Liverpool’s Chinatown will go on show this weekend as part of a major public consultation on the future of the area following a deal between North Point, Liverpool City Council and Urban Splash.

The proposed development is being delivered by developer North Point Global, Blok Architecture and PHD1 Construction.

The project along Great George Street could see the construction of 1,000 new homes and 200,000 sq ft of commercial and retail space.

According to North Point, the scheme would include a Chinese-themed retail area as well as live-work spaces providing accommodation for Chinese businesses to set up in the city, with one of the key aims being to grow the resident Chinese population in the area.

New Chinatown North Point

A planning application is due to be submitted later this year | CGI by Infinite 3D

In 2007, Urban Splash proposed a mixed-use project, known as Tribeca – the triangle below the cathedral – to contain 740 homes, 80,000 sq ft of offices, hotel and two acres of public realm. Plans for the development stalled during the recession.

Urban Splash has now agreed to surrender its leases and development options on the site in return for payment from the council to be funded by North Point.

North Point is seeking foreign investment for the project, with Government department UK Trade & Investment currently working to broker a deal.

Early-stage plans will go on show at a two-day public exhibition at Studio Two, Parr Street on Sunday 12 July and Monday 13 July from 11am to 8pm.

A planning application for the first phase of the project is due to be submitted before the end of the summer. According to North Point, detailed plans for the subsequent phases and the wider Chinatown area are still being formed.

Peter McInnes, chairman of North Point, said: “We are really excited by this opportunity and the chance to bring long-needed new investment and vitality to Chinatown. We have been in discussion with former owners Urban Splash and Liverpool City Council over several months and now have the opportunity to share our initial vision with local people and businesses. We want to work with the community and local stakeholders to shape the future of what should be one of the city’s greatest assets. This is Europe’s oldest Chinatown, we want to make it the best. ”

North Point Global is the development arm of PHD1 Construction. North Point is currently on site with the £90m mixed-use Pall Mall scheme near Leeds Street in Liverpool, and commercial space for Baltic Creative in Norfolk Street. PHD1 Construction is building the £77m Angelgate apartment project in Dantzic Street, Manchester for Pindelco, another company associated with Peter McInnes.

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Let’s hope this piece of land can be developed as envisaged, the plans look great.
It’s been empty for too long, and I can’t wait for it to happen.
The life and vibrancy of China Town could return as I remember it as a child.

By Man on bicycle

Lets hope that this development takes into account the fabulous buildings close by including the cathedral and the Georgian areas! And not just awful gotham city type stuff!

By Bob Dawson

Reinvigorating Liverpool’s Chinatown at the top end of Upper Pitt Street will complete the migration of its focal point up the hill from its early 19th century home on the edge of the Old Dock and the Custom House at Cleveland Square, through Nelson Street following the war when most of Pitt Street was destroyed. The area around St. James, Parliament Street and Great George’s Place is the ideal spot from which Chinatown can begin to grow again. Juxtapositioned right next to the Baltic Triangle, on a key gateway into the city centre from the south, the area could also benefit from the re-opening of the ‘mothballed’ underground station on the Northern Line historically known as St. James. Merseytravel have it in their long-term plan to re-open this station ‘as demand increases’ and the area grows. The Cain’s Brewery Village development will sit on the other side of this underground station, and the Anglical cathedral is just across St. James Street. These plans for Chinatown bear the hallmarks of a wider regeneration that could transform the whole area and become another key driver for Liverpool.

By Paul Blackburn

This area of the city has lay semi derilict for years. Too many years. A mixture of war damage, council vandalism and neglect. I really do hope these early plans mature into a quality scheme,for this once vibrant area of our great city

By The bus man

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below