Ropewalks redevelopment tipped for go-ahead
In a proposal combining new-build and remodelling listed buildings, TJ Morris vehicle Davos Property wants to bring 88 apartments to Duke Street in Liverpool city centre.
The Duke Street proposals will be considered by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee on Tuesday 7 January, with officers recommending approval for a site where a 200-bedroom hotel was consented in 2018.
Davos, owned by TJ Morris founder Tpom Morris and the firm’s property director Dave Little, bought the site in 2022, lodging plans in September 2023 to add an L-shaped new-build block fronting Henry and Kent Streets to the side and rear of the Duke Street townhouses.
Falconer Chester Hall and Turley head the professional team.
As set out in planning documents, the intention at 118-124 Duke Street is to “redevelop site by partial demolition, repair and remodelling of four listed buildings” along with the introduction of a part five, part-seven and part-eight storey building. A flexible commercial space and a bar unit are included at ground floor.
Situated in the Duke Street conservation area, the site at present comprises three grade two-listed Georgian terraces, which were used as merchants’ houses and warehousing. Outriggers have been added to the buildings’ rears in more recent years, with one of the buildings last used as a nightclub in the 1980s.
Neighbours to the site include the East Village on Kent Street, the Wah Sing Chinese community centre and a number of residential developments on Henry Street.
Davos proposes 37 one-bedroom apartments, 46 two-bedroom apartments and five three-bedroom apartments.
No affordable homes will be provided, with the planning officer reporting that “it is accepted following an independent assessment that the scheme cannot afford contributions in respect of affordable housing, public open space or street trees”.
Although Historic England did not offer any comments, Historic Buildings & Places, formerly the Ancient Monuments Society, described the proposal as “highly damaging”. The Georgian Group has also registered its disappointment.
The LCC officer report said: “The buildings are a fundamental component of the evolution of Ropewalks, and exceptional testimony to the City’s mercantile history. They also make an important contribution to the surrounding Duke Street Conservation Area and embody its essential character; one which derives from its buildings and street patterns and contains a wide range of heritage assets.”
However, with the buildings now dilapidated through under-investment, the officer said that the special interest in these heritage assets now lies in preserving their general character and appearance from Duke Street.
Documents relating to the application can be viewed on LCC’s planning portal with the reference 23F/2220.
Can we see arches on this building..would compliment the surrounding architecture
By John Lynn
Horrendous
By Bixteth boy
LCC requested the design be watered down, as the front top floor was meant to have a zinc/copper tiling effect. Either way, get it built and Duke Street can almost be a completely regenerated street.
By GetItBuilt!
Would a curve on top of the windows be too brave? Asking for Tom.
By allergic to squirrels
You do question the impact on traffic on an already busy street at weekends
By Anonymous
Original application 2018, now owned by TJ Morris who submitted their scheme in Sept 2023 and still not gone before committee till now, of course because the city planners hate anything that is not brick they have cajoled the architect into dropping the tiling feature to the top floor frontage. What`s the point of having architects in Liverpool when the Head of Planning seems to reject any features that don`t align with the status quo, no wonder developers are hesitant to invest in Liverpool, the awkward Council.
And as for the objectors on here who are berating this scheme, the period terrace is in danger of falling down, in fact I bet they would rather it did fall down rather than have a developer in there saving the frontages and, God forbid, making a small profit.
By Anonymous
This looks great. Much better than the bland building on the opposite side of Kent Street to the left of the image. Also arguably less damaging than than the current car park…
By Anonymous
Looks good to me.
By Bixteth Girl
I suppose this comes under the category ‘ok..it’ll do. But no more than that.
By Anonymous
Think it looks fine fits in well with the neighbouring properties.with reference to the call (above ) for arch’s this wouldn’t fit with the adjacent Georgian houses.
By George
Nice to see a new build design without whimsical arches
By Anonymous
Absolutely fine – just get on with it. Honestly, the council really do string things out.
By Mike