New 19-storey next door neighbour for One Park West

THE biggest development along Liverpool's Strand, since the Cesa Pelli-inspired One Park West, has been announced. 

It will mean the demolition of Strand House, originally built for the Halifax Building Society, with a 16-storey tower rising to 19 floors on a site containing almost 400 flats.

The Manchester-based developers behind the multi-million pound scheme, overlooking Liverpool’s historic waterfront, will be sharing it with the public next week.

Panacea Property Development and Patten Properties say the main 16-storey development - and three additional floors stepping back from the main elevation - promises stunning views, new commercial space and a residents’ roof garden at the junction of Strand Street and Red Cross Street.

Originally a much taller, 25-storey building was earmarked, but it is within the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and, as such, was scaled down during pre-application discussions with the city council planning department.

Whopper: The block by Manchester's Panacea Property Development and Patten Properties was originally 25 storeys

The proposals include the demolition of the four storey Strand House and the creation of a new development of 391 residential units with private roof terraces at the upper levels. On the ground floor there will be space for restaurants, bars and cafés.

The scheme also includes a semi-public landscaped area to improve the public realm on Strand Street.

The developers say a number of design elements and materials from surrounding waterfront buildings, including Mann Island, the Three Graces and One Park West, have been included in the designed by architects Leach Rhodes Walker. They say this will ensure it makes a "positive and integrated contribution" to the city’s skyline.

Neil Patten, managing director of Panacea Property Developments, said: “It is vital that our design is sensitive to the heritage of Liverpool’s historic waterfront and is more suitable in terms of scale and appearance than the existing, and somewhat dated, office block currently on the site.

The scaled down design on the UNESCO World Heritage site sits at the same height as One Park West. The public will next week be asked for its views

“This is a key transition point between historic buildings and more modern developments between the Albert Dock and Liverpool One and the town centre, so we’ve looked to tie these areas together.

“We’re keen to speak with as many local people as possible to understand their thoughts and how we can maximise the benefits of this development.”

Panacea, formed 60 years ago, has completed major schemes across the country. It is chaired by Jo Bamford from the family behind the creation of the JCB empire.

* Local people are being invited to view and comment on the proposals at an upcoming public drop-in session being held at Strand House, 21 Strand Street  next Tuesday  (June 21) from 3pm – 7pm.  when the project team will be on hand to answer any questions local people may have.