The first shipping line HQ to be built in Liverpool since India Buildings in the 1920s has won an architectural award, even though the builders are still in.
The new HQ for Atlantic Container Lines (ACL) is nearing completion in Duke Street on the site of what was a battleground for conservationists two years ago.
The new ACL base has now been recognised by the Manchester Society of Architects, winning the Best Commercial Building category at the annual MA Awards.
The building has been designed by Manchester based DLA Design and will become the city’s first purpose-built shipping HQ since the development of the Grade II* listed India Buildings in 1924.
ACL’s 160 staff will in 2016 be moving ‘inland’ from their current office at Princes Dock, needing more space following significant staff growth in the past few years.
The 62,000 sq ft grade ‘A’ building is being developed by property company and regeneration specialist Langtree and is being built by Wates Construction.
Langtree say the ‘distinctive four-storey building will complement the existing street scene while providing a modern and distinctive façade’
The building’s near neighbour on the opposite side of Duke Street is Liverpool’s other major shipping line headquarters, Bibby Line.
For many years the derelict site was boarded off as campaigners fought for it to be restored to its original Georgian splendour, with its one-time attractive Victorian shop frontage.
The site was owned by the government’s Homes and Communities Agency which purchased it in 2002 as part of the regeneration of the Ropewalks area.
Two years later Langtree was appointed preferred developer and plans were approved in 2005 for a mixed-use commercial and residential development involving the conversion and refurbishment of 86-90 Duke Street, a project later deemed to be unviable.
DLA design’s director of architecture, Jonathan Knowles said: “We are delighted to see the scheme taking shape and gain international design recognition, through this design award win, for a complex and highly contextual solution. The design focusses on an appropriate choice of materials and component detailing that reflects the location within the Liverpool Maritime Mercantile City World Heritage Site and the Duke Street Conservation Area.”
The project has been supported with £2.82m ERDF grants and £1.38m Chrysalis funding, as a signal of growing confidence in the city’s maritime sector.
ACL’s UK managing director Ian Higby, said: “It is very pleasing to have the building recognised in this way. The contractor is making excellent progress on site which changes on a daily basis. We look forward to the day when we can step inside our new home.”
ACL operates the fleet of massive container ships on the Liverpool to North America route, currently using Seaforth Docks as work continues on the riverside dock known as Liverpool Two.
The shipping line is part of the Naples-based Grimaldi Group Company which can trace its origins back to the 1300s. ACL was formed in 1965 by a consortium of five shipping companies, Wallenius Lines, Swedish America Line, the Transatlantic Steamship Company and Holland America Line, with Cunard and CGT joining the consortium in 1967.
During the Falklands War the British registered Atlantic Conveyor and Atlantic Causeway were requisitioned by the Ministry of Defence.
The Atlantic Conveyor sunk on May 25 1982 after being hit by two Argentine Exocet missiles.
The wreck of the Atlantic Conveyor, blown up in the Falklands war
