IT has been in civic ownership for 110 years, but what fate awaits the up-for-sale Calderstones Mansion House, one time home of the co-founder of the world famous Cunard Line?
Two potential bidders for the house, built in the 1820s, and the nearby extensive stable block, will be quizzed on January 10.
The council is so far keeping quiet about the likely proposals for the buildings which were put up for sale to boost council coffers, as revealed on Liverpool Confidential almost a year to the day.
All it would say is the two shortlisted bidders are The Reader Organisation, the Liverpool-based charity and social enterpriise that promotes literature, and a newly formed group called The Calderstones Trust.
But Liverpool Confidential understands the proposals would provide either an exclusive boutique hotel, with a community element, or a teaching and residential base for the Everton-based Reader Organisation.
The three local councillors for the area, Richard Kemp, Erica Kemp and Tom Morrison (all Lib Dems) plan to leaflet around 10,000 homes in their Church Ward to canvass views from local people.
Going by responses to previous proposals for the park, locals are bound to raise concerns about noise, parking, congested roads.
Yet the unused Mansion House needs a new use to ensure that it doesn't fall into ruin. It's been virtually empty since Environmental Services, or Parks and Gardens as was, quit the building as their main base almost two years ago.
The problem for any potential user is the fact the mansion house is along a main driveway, shared with pedestrians.
Learning
The final decision on which of the two will win the race will be made by Mayor Joe Anderson and his Cabinet. Regeneration Cabinet member Cllr Malcolm Kennedy is leading the process. It could be both bids will be rejected, though as they have been selected as potential occupiers, it seems unlikely.
The meeting on January 10, to be attended by Cllr Kennedy, the three local councillors as well as a representative from the Friends of Harthill and Calderstones Park, may well make a recommendation, however it won't be binding on the council cabinet.
For The Reader Organisation, whose patron is author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, Calderstones would make an ideal teaching and learning base. It is currently based in The Friary in Bute Street.
The Calderstones buildings are among a collection of council owned properties, all surplus to requirements and up for sale. The hope is that their sale will raise at least £3m to boost the shrinking coffers of the City Treasury. No price tag has been given for the Mansion House and stables.
Mansion facts
In 1875 the Calderstones estate was bought by local shipping magnate Charles MacIver for £52,000.
MacIver linked up with Samuel Cunard and they established the British and North American Royal Steam Packet Company, later to become the Cunard Line.
In 1902 the estate, including the mansion house and stables, was sold to Liverpool Council for the bargain price of £43,000.
The current mansion house was built in 1828 by the then owner, Joseph Need Walker, who made his fortune as a lead shot manufacturer.
The Georgian style mansion replaced an extensive old farmhouse that had occupied the site since the early1700s.
