Another well researched article - great read - thank you David.
We have so many iconic buildings in a state of disrepair, ( Wellington Rooms etc) that when Nick Small says he is "playing the long game" on redevelopment, I nearly choked on my toast with abject anger.
Compared to the visionary builders of the past - who had civic pride - our current crop of elected leaders are pygmies.
Keep up the good work and pressure on retaining our beautiful City's buildings.
You’re right. Fair point. I guess I was meaning shrinking also in the sense of its clout and importance. The stuff that gave us the cash to build these piles in the first place.
Yes, good read with poignant points referring to our iconic historical buildings. How, over the years the Council allowed ‘cornflake’ box developments, e.g the HSBC box in church st. Is beyond contemplation. Also, if Liverpool is to become a ‘Five Star’ tourists destination then please do something about the state of the streets. It appeared that we were over what Bill Bryson said when he ‘took a train to Liverpool. they were having a festival when I arrived. Citizens had taken time off from their busy activities to add crisp packets, empty cigarette boxes and carrier-bags to the other wise bland and neglected landscape.’ I know the council is stuck for cash and has other financial pressures, but surely clean, litter free, streets is a necessity on all fronts.
Agreed. The weeds and buddleia growing out of Liverpool's pavements and buildings, particularly in the Georgian Quarter, is a very poor look for the city. An article on why the Council can't find the money to do this and, in fact, whose responsibility it is to remove weeds from the front of a building, would be a good article please.
Look at Sunlight House in Manchester or a dozen other such buildings there which house workers, workers, workers. And all of them have been refurbished to a high standard to do so, and the buildings have a future as a result.
The council, and their scummy “developer” chums who benefited from their “running” of the city, were responsible for the city’s people not having decent jobs to go to in both old buildings and the absence of new. And, if they don’t successfully about turn, that will continue.
Great stuff, thanks. Was Leanne’s tongue in her cheek when she said “There’s a strong bond, still, of merchant traders between Liverpool and the world’s historic ports”?
There has never been a more pressing time to have a strategic long term of view of investment into traditional and historic fabric particularly with the impending huge increase in energy costs - overheating is expected to become much more of an issue than under. And we are not prepared. Central government are pushing green finance and the Decarbonization of Public Buildings fund seems to have had very few takers in the city. Poor, undermaintained building fabric results in 30% less energy efficiency first off - thats a given. Its not all about microgeneration - the PAS 2038 sets out the strategy for decarbonising non-domestic historic fabric starting with condition - a whole building approach. On seeking advice from LCC regarding their strategy on the above on behalf of a client with a significant portfolio of historic fabric the director involved chose to entice my client with 2 new build opportunities. !!! Incredulous!!! They also didnt seem to believe that decarbonising the grid means moving away from gas ( at 4kwh) to electricity ( currently 17kwh) will quadruple the spend on heating (currently mostly undertaken by gas installations). Zero carbon can only be achieved by starting with re-use and repurpose not mothballing more traditional fabric to offload problem sites/ development. Where are the initiatives looking at the medium to long term? Green funding offers that opportunity (but obviously no gains within the 4 year political cycle methinks). This is going to be the next RAAC - mark my words. There will be organisations/ institutions locking up their 'problem' buildings and walking away in the next 5 to ten years time
Brilliantly written, interesting article,👏👏👏 …..30 James street was first redeveloped by Lawrence Kenwright, MD of Signature Living who sadly along with his lovey wife have been declared bankrupt with allegedly huge debts🤔😥
With the port of Liverpool having become a fulcrum of international trade, it is unsurprising to see the number of visitors from South America and Middle Eastern countries are rocketing.
The ION development at Lime Street must be one of the worst developments in the country. That whole street is aesthetically wrecked now, probably for at least 30 years and of course right behind it they managed to jam in a giant featureless beige box with arrow slit windows , even the Blackpoolesque lighting (is it even working anymore?) at night doesn't help it. Also there is the famous signature living roof extension that will similarly scar the city centre for a long long time. Sometimes its better to sit and wait until more prosperous times even if that means a plot is left empty/boarded up rather than blow its potential on a degenerative development which we could be stuck with for decades.
Is that what we're paying our local authorities for? To sit and wait for more prosperous times?? How would that go down in Manchester?
Prosperity was rejected by our council. Instead property prices were depressed, and this allowed all sorts of inappropriate individuals to get their grubby hands on some fine buildings.
Being desperate also leads to inappropriate individuals getting their hands on fine buildings and prime sites. This is exactly what we had in the anderson era and now the city is littered with botched roof extensions and bottom of the barrel developments from that era.
With a little more patience and willpower, and a plan Lime Street could of had better now its a bigger embarrassment than it was before and that will stay the case for many decades to come.
Excellent piece as ever. Can’t believe you’ve never heard of Signature Living. It was once the main redeveloped of buildings around the city into party apartments owned none other than the now bankrupt Lawrence Kenwright. Not sure but I think he was quite friendly with good old Joe. He was even on the telly showing off his absurd decorating of the Shankly. Who else could persuade a council to add an ugly roof extension to a Flat Iron building!!!
We are a tourist and student city atm - so the building plans around empty aged buildings, should be repurposed for this market. I am happier that buildings are saved rather than left to rot - with the consequent fire !!
There is a lack of suitable office buildings - no planning for this market.
Totally agree with Flat Iron extension - but it is saved.
Another well researched article - great read - thank you David.
We have so many iconic buildings in a state of disrepair, ( Wellington Rooms etc) that when Nick Small says he is "playing the long game" on redevelopment, I nearly choked on my toast with abject anger.
Compared to the visionary builders of the past - who had civic pride - our current crop of elected leaders are pygmies.
Keep up the good work and pressure on retaining our beautiful City's buildings.
Great read but can we please stop referring to Liverpool as a shrinking city? It’s been growing for the past 23 years!
You’re right. Fair point. I guess I was meaning shrinking also in the sense of its clout and importance. The stuff that gave us the cash to build these piles in the first place.
Yes, good read with poignant points referring to our iconic historical buildings. How, over the years the Council allowed ‘cornflake’ box developments, e.g the HSBC box in church st. Is beyond contemplation. Also, if Liverpool is to become a ‘Five Star’ tourists destination then please do something about the state of the streets. It appeared that we were over what Bill Bryson said when he ‘took a train to Liverpool. they were having a festival when I arrived. Citizens had taken time off from their busy activities to add crisp packets, empty cigarette boxes and carrier-bags to the other wise bland and neglected landscape.’ I know the council is stuck for cash and has other financial pressures, but surely clean, litter free, streets is a necessity on all fronts.
Agreed. The weeds and buddleia growing out of Liverpool's pavements and buildings, particularly in the Georgian Quarter, is a very poor look for the city. An article on why the Council can't find the money to do this and, in fact, whose responsibility it is to remove weeds from the front of a building, would be a good article please.
Thanks for this.
If you really want to break your heart flick through this book from nearly fifty years ago.
Look at what's gone and what's long forgotten. https://www.walkingbook.co.uk/liverpool/buildings/index.htm
Then, to shed tears of nostalgia rage, and loss, read
https://www.wob.com/en-gb/books/anthony-quinn/rescue-man/9780224087278
Look at Sunlight House in Manchester or a dozen other such buildings there which house workers, workers, workers. And all of them have been refurbished to a high standard to do so, and the buildings have a future as a result.
The council, and their scummy “developer” chums who benefited from their “running” of the city, were responsible for the city’s people not having decent jobs to go to in both old buildings and the absence of new. And, if they don’t successfully about turn, that will continue.
I don’t envy anyone who has to figure out a way and find the money to preserve these historic buildings.
Great stuff, thanks. Was Leanne’s tongue in her cheek when she said “There’s a strong bond, still, of merchant traders between Liverpool and the world’s historic ports”?
There has never been a more pressing time to have a strategic long term of view of investment into traditional and historic fabric particularly with the impending huge increase in energy costs - overheating is expected to become much more of an issue than under. And we are not prepared. Central government are pushing green finance and the Decarbonization of Public Buildings fund seems to have had very few takers in the city. Poor, undermaintained building fabric results in 30% less energy efficiency first off - thats a given. Its not all about microgeneration - the PAS 2038 sets out the strategy for decarbonising non-domestic historic fabric starting with condition - a whole building approach. On seeking advice from LCC regarding their strategy on the above on behalf of a client with a significant portfolio of historic fabric the director involved chose to entice my client with 2 new build opportunities. !!! Incredulous!!! They also didnt seem to believe that decarbonising the grid means moving away from gas ( at 4kwh) to electricity ( currently 17kwh) will quadruple the spend on heating (currently mostly undertaken by gas installations). Zero carbon can only be achieved by starting with re-use and repurpose not mothballing more traditional fabric to offload problem sites/ development. Where are the initiatives looking at the medium to long term? Green funding offers that opportunity (but obviously no gains within the 4 year political cycle methinks). This is going to be the next RAAC - mark my words. There will be organisations/ institutions locking up their 'problem' buildings and walking away in the next 5 to ten years time
Enjoyed that, thanks.
Brilliantly written, interesting article,👏👏👏 …..30 James street was first redeveloped by Lawrence Kenwright, MD of Signature Living who sadly along with his lovey wife have been declared bankrupt with allegedly huge debts🤔😥
Redundant Cinemas have always been a problem to re-purpose and we have several. What else can you do with a cinema?
With the port of Liverpool having become a fulcrum of international trade, it is unsurprising to see the number of visitors from South America and Middle Eastern countries are rocketing.
The ION development at Lime Street must be one of the worst developments in the country. That whole street is aesthetically wrecked now, probably for at least 30 years and of course right behind it they managed to jam in a giant featureless beige box with arrow slit windows , even the Blackpoolesque lighting (is it even working anymore?) at night doesn't help it. Also there is the famous signature living roof extension that will similarly scar the city centre for a long long time. Sometimes its better to sit and wait until more prosperous times even if that means a plot is left empty/boarded up rather than blow its potential on a degenerative development which we could be stuck with for decades.
Is that what we're paying our local authorities for? To sit and wait for more prosperous times?? How would that go down in Manchester?
Prosperity was rejected by our council. Instead property prices were depressed, and this allowed all sorts of inappropriate individuals to get their grubby hands on some fine buildings.
Being desperate also leads to inappropriate individuals getting their hands on fine buildings and prime sites. This is exactly what we had in the anderson era and now the city is littered with botched roof extensions and bottom of the barrel developments from that era.
With a little more patience and willpower, and a plan Lime Street could of had better now its a bigger embarrassment than it was before and that will stay the case for many decades to come.
Excellent piece as ever. Can’t believe you’ve never heard of Signature Living. It was once the main redeveloped of buildings around the city into party apartments owned none other than the now bankrupt Lawrence Kenwright. Not sure but I think he was quite friendly with good old Joe. He was even on the telly showing off his absurd decorating of the Shankly. Who else could persuade a council to add an ugly roof extension to a Flat Iron building!!!
Sorry. It was me being cheeky! I wish I really had never heard of them though 😂
We are a tourist and student city atm - so the building plans around empty aged buildings, should be repurposed for this market. I am happier that buildings are saved rather than left to rot - with the consequent fire !!
There is a lack of suitable office buildings - no planning for this market.
Totally agree with Flat Iron extension - but it is saved.