Hey Everyone,

I was looking through the Benmore Group website and spotted this. Has the details of this proposal been mentioned or even discussed yet?

I have attached a link for everybody to take a look. I don't know if this has been submitted for planning?

http://www.benmoredevelopments.com/

I certainly hope it goes ahead.

However what Dale st really needs is the Royal Insurance Building on Dale St /North John St converting into a hotel. This is a magnificent building which is being left to rot.

The ugly State House opposite also needs demolishing and a decent corner building put up in its place.

The other end of Dale st near Municipal Buildings also needs attention, as has been mentioned on the specific thread here before.

My first new thread! I think this project deserves its own because it'll be a fair size.


Now, from what I can make out, having seen the newspaper report (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2010/08/25/premier-inn-to-build-its-most-expensive-hotel-in-liverpool-100252-27129340/):

A 123-bed hotel will be built in Dale Street, with a restaurant, bar and 285-space multi-storey car park.

It will see the preservation of the front of the historically important Eagle Star and Pioneer buildings.

Numbers 61 and 63 Dale Street, in between the buildings, will be demolished.

and the agenda and minutes of the planning committee (http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=10807) (item 60):

demolition of 57 - 67 Dale Street, incorporating retained facades at Nos. 57 Dale Street and 65 - 67 Dale Street

the renders previously posted on this forum (which begin on this page (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=238831&page=44)) are outdated. I think this one, from the planning documents, is more accurate:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/1216/elevation.png

Notice the retention of the facade at number 57 - the 'Eagle Star Building'.


And in case you're unfamiliar with the site:

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/7461/locationf.png


Another one from the planning documents; the elevation from Vernon Street:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/8316/sided.png

Notice how the top floor of the hotel sits on top of the car park. ibis is a budget operator so this makes sense. :nuts:

On three or more of the renders in the planning documents, the car park has the letter Q written on it, so it's possible they have Q-park lined up to operate it.

The retail unit on the ground floor, which will span what are now numbers 57 and 61-63, looks like it will be a Tesco. On one of the planning documents, a basement area directly beneath the retail unit reads, "Basement area for Tesco". As if we haven't got enough of them in this city as it is. Everywhere I turn I seem to see a new Tesco! It would be nice to see some other supermarkets using their nous and getting in on the act.


From the other side:

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/281/othersided.png

Those windows look very cheap. :ohno:


From the back:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9841/backrs.png

I think the rainbow colours might be a nod to the nearby gay pub and club scene.

Also interesting is the mention in the minutes of the planning committee that planning may be refused if the developer does not:

pay a commuted sum to facilitate the provision of street trees and public art


As an aside, the public realm works are coming along nicely on Dale Street. It's amazing what a difference it can make to the feel of a street.

MC, as first threads go, its a good 'un :okay:



The car park looks a lot better than this earlier proposal.

http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x167/yoshef/benmore-dalestreet.jpg?t=1258365248

Thanks, Matthias - very helpful. Let's hope this one happens. The developers seem to have upped their game as they proceeded through the planning process in order to address concerns that were raised. It would be great if this investment had a knock-on effect on the rest of Dale Street - a street that struggles to reach a quarter of its potential.

While I don't agree that there's a need for the multi-storey car park, it looks like a fairly decent budget development. It's good to see that the Vernon Arms is being left alone, too, and it'll add more activity to the street.

But another Tesco? Must we?

Tesco? Haven't heard owt about a Tesco hereabouts.

I didn't know anything about a Tesco?

I didn't know it was an Ibis either. I suppose whatever it is as long as it is fully occupied at the best of times and has a good street access bar/restaurant then its all good

I don't want to mislead you all; I should reiterate that I have assumed that there might be a Tesco here because on one of the planning documents a basement area directly beneath the retail unit reads, "Basement area for Tesco"; just as I have assumed that the car park might be operated by Q-park because of the large letter Qs everywhere.

I don't think it's an assumption that is entirely out of the ordinary, though, as there are new Tesco stores opening up everywhere. This spot would be ideal for them - their next closest would be Liverpool ONE, I think.

Anyway, I'm abroad for a few days so I'll catch you all next week!

duplicate post: deleted

Any idea what will happen with the Ibis on The Strand?

Any idea what will happen with the Ibis on The Strand?

What do you mean? Are they redeveloping there? My guess is it won't be standing in about 10 years time, maybe less; the city has moved on so much from when that was built. Let's hope the Crowne Plaza goes with it too.

I think we will just have 2 Ibis hotels. It's a sign of how far we have come to now to see developments like the Crowne Plaze, Halifax, Ibis etc as 'past their sell-by-dates' when at the time we would have bitten the hand off any developer who offered more of the same!

Some interior shots captured before it is fully renovated beyond all recognition into the Ibis Hotel. My mam worked here as a Corpy cleaner, and in the nearby New Oxford House in the late 70s early 80s.


http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2550/pioneerbldgsdalest1.jpg (http://img408.imageshack.us/i/pioneerbldgsdalest1.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)



http://img575.imageshack.us/img575/1014/pioneerbldgsdalest2.jpg (http://img575.imageshack.us/i/pioneerbldgsdalest2.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)



http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/6589/pioneerbldgsdalest3.jpg (http://img24.imageshack.us/i/pioneerbldgsdalest3.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)



http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/8596/pioneerbldgsdalest4.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/i/pioneerbldgsdalest4.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)





http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/1796/pioneerbldgsdalest5.jpg (http://img825.imageshack.us/i/pioneerbldgsdalest5.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)





.

Keayman,

Lovely pics, but that aint the Pioneer Building, that is the interior of the former Education Offices at 8 Sir Thomas St, the soon to be layla Hotel. All that fancy stuff is staying; grade 2 listed.

Does anybody know when - or if - this is still going ahead? The Pioneer Building scheme that is.

A hotel here would be good for gays from other parts of the country wanting to stay in gaytown. Layla is five star so may be expensive.

They said a start in the new year when approved last summer. Clearly slipped a bit. The whole scheme is pre-let so this should be ok, but the delay is certainly holding back progress for Dale Street.

Bespoke hotels is set to open the 84-room Layla hotel this summer, located within Grade II listed buildings formerly housing Liverpool’s City Education Offices and Municipal Annexe.

The five-star boutique hotel is situated on the corner of Thomas Street and Dale Street to the north of the Liverpool One development, and will be housed within three connected buildings.

Architectural design elements range from contemporary to Victorian and Art Deco, including a 1920s steel-caged lift surrounded by a new glass exterior, and an original listed wooden bookcase dividing The Annexe restaurant and adjacent wine tasting room.

The hotel will also feature New York style Madison’s brasserie, a private movie screening room, cigar terrace, heated indoor pool, spa and gym facilities, whirlpool, “fragrant sauna”, “aromatic steam room”, and a “drench shower area”.

Other hotels within the Bespoke portfolio include Bermondsey Square Hotel and Ten Manchester Street in London, and The New Ellington in Leeds.

Does anybody know what the current status of this is? I was under the impression that they were meant to go on site early this year - I did see a few officials looking round and got the impression they were discussing plans for the erection of scaffolding/hoardings but that is just speculation on my part. If anybody has any information on this I'd be very interested to know about it. What with yet another delay to Layla things really need to start on the Ibis scheme to inject some feeling of vitality to that end of Dale Street.

Anybody have any information on the progress of this? I have seen a bit of activity - work in the old shop unit and a skip at the rear.

I saw workmen there over the last couple of weeks, but mainly cleaning up. I guess if anything, it is pre-construction work. We won't know for sure for a couple of months.

From the Daily Post -

Work starts on new Liverpool city centre hotel

WORK has started on the latest Liverpool city centre hotel scheme.

The plan to build a 123-bedroom hotel on Dale Street was first unveiled two years ago.

The £10m project to restore a disused building is expected to be completed by 2013. Northern Irish developer Benmore Group says it has signed up a major hotel brand to operate what is thought by some local observers to be a budget hotel.

The scheme, however, has rekindled concerns about the oversupply of hotel rooms in the city.

The scheme will see the retention, renovation and safeguarding of the historic façade of the Pioneer Buildings, which is not listed but is in the Castle Street conservation area, and is the boundary of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site.

The scheme includes a car park, which will have just under 300 spaces behind the hotel, together with retail space on the ground floor.

Article continues here - http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/10/12/work-starts-on-new-liverpool-city-centre-hotel-92534-29578843/

Goodstuff!

This is really great news. I saw that a post had been added to this thread and almost dreaded opening it in case it was yet another person going "Has anyone heard anything about this scheme?". I know I saw workmen there a few weeks ago but worried after they vanished again.

This scheme will do wonders for Dale Street.It sort of dies off after the council buildings, as you walk to the museum. Lots of dereliction.

As another snippet, I saw workmen yesterday in what looked like an old bank unit further along the street. Could be two projects on Dale St at the same time.

If we get the cruise liner terminal decision going our way, I can see a few more top end hotels opening around there too.

Here is what is getting built. I think this is the most recent version.
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/pioneer.jpg

Daily Post are a bit slow tho... We already know its an Ibis. Liverpool Vision even confirmed it in their recent Hotel Report so why don't the Post just state it will be run by Ibis?

I've seen builders in the old Royal Sun Alliance offices on Exchange Street which is set to be a Travelodge and also the building that was rumoured to be the EazyHotel on the same street. I'm not sure whether this is the start of works though or not.

So is the hotel covering all three buildings in the middle of the photo, or just the centre building? This will certainly be an improvement to the streetscape in Dale street, something which the street still lacks a little in.

Dale Street is slowly improving, it's good to see it. I was in Castle Street yesterday and the improvements look great, the new seating is more extensive than I envisaged and now more than a couple of restaurants and coffee shops have outdoor seating areas. Viva Brazil looks very smart, I would suggest however that they add a canvas to the front of the building covering the outdoor seating completely from the rain. It's pointless to think that people would dine there at 10pm in November. Paris has weather that can often be comparable to some of the UK, but what you find there is that establishments utilise canvases, and sitting outdoors is then suitable in rainy weather. The Japanese restaurant in Exchange Square has a covered outdoor area which can be folded up automatically in the case of hot weather and it looks good too.

So is the hotel covering all three buildings in the middle of the photo, or just the centre building? This will certainly be an improvement to the streetscape in Dale street, something which the street still lacks a little in.

Think it must be all 3 unless they've downsized it.

IIRC they were originally going to demolish the portland stone building that used to be Spar. Glad it looks like being retained now :)

Dale Street is slowly improving, it's good to see it. I was in Castle Street yesterday and the improvements look great, the new seating is more extensive than I envisaged and now more than a couple of restaurants and coffee shops have outdoor seating areas. Viva Brazil looks very smart, I would suggest however that they add a canvas to the front of the building covering the outdoor seating completely from the rain. It's pointless to think that people would dine there at 10pm in November. Paris has weather that can often be comparable to some of the UK, but what you find there is that establishments utilise canvases, and sitting outdoors is then suitable in rainy weather. The Japanese restaurant in Exchange Square has a covered outdoor area which can be folded up automatically in the case of hot weather and it looks good too.

I counted six places with outdoor seating the other day. Starbucks, McGuffy's, skinnimalix, olive press, viva Brazil and cafe nero. I expect others to follow. The side opposite natwest is nailed on for new restaurants. Sun trap and nice surrounds

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0928.jpg

A little extra confirmation.

Excellent,thanks BB.

Just saw eight workmen in the Pioneer Building. Good stuff.

Scaffolding on the left is for a roofing job on the Vernon pub, other than that not much activity to be seen.


http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4708/p1020266uk.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/443/p1020266uk.jpg/)


http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5010/p1020268k.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/511/p1020268k.jpg/)

Workers still clearin out the inside. They have arected some kind of scaffolding inside the Pioneer Building as of this morning, with portable strip lighting erected at various points.

Plenty of scaffolding now up and more being added as of today.

The Vernon pub would of looked good if it was included in this and the roof extended.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG1039.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG1046.jpg

A video of this is in the link.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/6480040783/in/contacts/

I'm currently putting together a Update thread on this Development I've over a 100 pics & 23 video so I'm sorting through & editing the best ones.

Here's a video teaser....

rY85IwJSM1w

Trying to dislodge the concrete roof fail this time but I've the video of when it finally comes down
SLE1i-ySFDg

Shame about the demolition oh well.

Pics from 6th Nov
Some pics as things were starting to get going ..

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6521947507_a583159249_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/6521947507/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6517220275_b5f1732b45_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/6517220275/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6521951751_f0f2bb878f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/6521951751/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6517218477_b4fde9b99d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/6517218477/)

:cheers:

Good progress at the rear of the building, not much to see at the front.


http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/5568/p1020367k.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/838/p1020367k.jpg/)


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6389/p1020368sq.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/207/p1020368sq.jpg/)


http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/736/p1020369.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/444/p1020369.jpg/)

Thanks for all the updates Doug. :)

Nice Pics Doug, I've got loads taken over the last month, chronicling this project
just not got around to editing & posting them, I was also there today I've got several similar to yours will post shortly.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/7416/p1020439b.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/20/p1020439b.jpg/)


http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/7185/p1020440c.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/189/p1020440c.jpg/)


http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/8231/p1020441a.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/515/p1020441a.jpg/)


http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/864/p1020442gn.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/p1020442gn.jpg/)

We must have being following each other...

My shots are from 12:30 ish yours must have being in the afternoon after they had gone home.
I have similar shots to you fron Forever 21, while I was takine min there was someone next to me taking similar shots maybe you Doug
Anyway here's some of mine from yesterday, I've being following this from the start I've 100's of pics, I'll have to do a catch up.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/7014075909_fb93357fa3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7014075909/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/6867963098_41b49aa1b7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/6867963098/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7014067103_d3f14e3dc7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7014067103/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/7014060719_21d1062f1f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7014060719/)

Flick Set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/sets/72157628325721181/detail/

Chris & Doug, superb photos, thanks for the update.

All my Ibis Hotel Development Dale Street video's are on Flickr, you cant link Flickr Video's, I'm currently uploading to Youtube because you can link to it on here...

fBDkIuGf0o8

cx1ZGseBWYI

2 Video's from 7 Feb the removal of a Large Iron Girder using a Long Armed Demolition Excavator...

Part 1
PeIT_qr68hw

Part 2
wmnW9wJnsdQ

Good stuff. The site looks a lot bigger from the existing MSCP. The overall footprint is actually quite sizeable because it is easy to forget that another car park is going there as well as the hotel/Tesco.

More evidence of an albeit shallow so far uptick in Dale Street's fortunes, even at the flyover end.

Any updates on what has happened to the apparently stricken El Layla hotel project in the council annex?

Yes, a Greek flag is now flying from it. I guess the sole security guard who stands folornly outside every morning puffing on a roley comes from there.

When in times like these, the Greeks purchase an asset, it really isn't a good sign.

When in times like these, the Greeks purchase an asset, it really isn't a good sign.


Ha, ha - quality.

It's an illiad development. I believe the family that owns illiad are of Greek descent... Hence the name.

We have scaffold!

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0158-3.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0156-3.jpg

When in times like these, the Greeks purchase an asset, it really isn't a good sign.

This morning we went to a restaurant on the Dee by Heswall called Sheldrakes. It is in a great situation overlooking the river but Ranulph Fiennes would have difficulty finding the place.

However, it is in the throes of a major extension and the owners are Greek. Seems that all the Greeks who have money are eager to invest their Euros wherever they can before their goverment reintroduces the Drachma so look forward to a lot more Acropolis Tavernas.

The scaffolding has being up for ages, it was put up when there were demolishing the front.


Spotted it yesterday so took a few pics....
Not very good weather for taking pics.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7075/7329531778_cf28de1c1e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7329531778/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7090/7329536158_2bcaea3fa0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7329536158/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/7329539374_271f542f3e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7329539374/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7329528016_3ef8e5589b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7329528016/)

:banana:

Not the extra scaffolding. There is one piece that goes up higher than the current building line, up to the new one. Be good to see it progressing more quickly though.

Not the extra scaffolding. There is one piece that goes up higher than the current building line, up to the new one. Be good to see it progressing more quickly though.

Yeah apols, just took a closer look :cheers:.

Yes things should really progress now with the crane in situ, Travel Lodge shot up once the crane was on site.

I've alot more pics from Dale Street from yesterday, I'll post shortly :cheers:

Some pics from 2nd June 2012

We should see some progress now there a Luffing Jib Crane in situ..

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8022/7331654680_9555402b24_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7331654680/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7331663702_cc7d76d362_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7331663702/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7100/7331668032_62b5a2fa7b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7331668032/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7235/7331647118_20e1824130_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7331647118/)

The start of lift shafts or staircase core, there's more foundations pile's to the left of the re-bar shuttering.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7331659464_33943d82c4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7331659464/)

B&W Version....
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7331650150_cd45701691_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/7331650150/)

:banana:

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0209-1.jpg

Good progress as of this morning.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0255.jpg

^^

Reminder of how this will look:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/1216/elevation.png

Seems strange that they removed the scaffold so soon. Made me panic that the plug has been pulled somehow. If not, then with Layla back on track, there's three hotels within 200m getting built. Good news.

Seems strange that they removed the scaffold so soon. Made me panic that the plug has been pulled somehow. If not, then with Layla back on track, there's three hotels within 200m getting built. Good news.

Perhaps the frontage already being built they don't need the scaffolding?

Perhaps the frontage already being built they don't need the scaffolding?

But they haven't even started on the middle frontage. Strange.

Few of this development from Thursday afternoon

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p577/UrbanSubRosa/liverpool/construction/IMG_7636_7_8-1sub_zpsb6d60f5f.jpg

http://i1156.photobucket.com/albums/p577/UrbanSubRosa/liverpool/construction/IMG_7645_6_7-1sub_zps27356c99.jpg

Hopefully this will grow quite quickly, being as much of it is fairly basic construction.

Was passing the other day so I grabbed a picture. Can't really see much because the fence was in the way but it's coming along nicely.
Daily steel deliveries by the looks of it. Most of the floor slabs are in in the front section.

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss353/PeterStoba1/2012-11-02143424.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/IMAG0255.jpg

The pioneer building could of gone with a clean while the scaffolding was up it's filthy.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/20130103_125621.jpg

From the Echo -

Traders concerned as Liverpool city centre to get 11th Tesco store

TESCO is to open its 11th store in Liverpool city centre – sparking concern over the future of nearby small traders.

Consultants, on behalf of the supermarket, have submitted plans to the city council for a new express branch in Dale Street.

The store will be located in the former Spar unit on the ground floor of the former Pioneer buildings – near the corner of Vernon Street – which are being converted into a hotel.

It will be within five minutes walk of two Tesco stores in Old Hall Street and Lord Street.

Article continues here - http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2013/01/18/traders-concerned-as-liverpool-city-centre-to-get-11th-tesco-store-100252-32626570/

Side-stepping any concerns regarding Tesco's dominance and impact on other retailers, I agree with one of the user comments beneath the above article. It has been known that a Tesco was coming here for quite a while now, so why is this suddenly an issue now? I know the Tesco-specific planning applications have just gone in, but the original planning applications for the whole development made no secret that the unit was to be a Tesco.

That was me!

^^

That would explain it. I found it odd to find the voice of reason within the Echo reader's comments. :)

I live 2 mins round the corner from this development and personally don't have a problem with Tesco opening another store here - anything tat adds vibrancy to this end of Dale street is welcome and it is down to the inertia on the part of other supermarkets that Tesco has managed to get such a strong presence in Liverpool city centre. Given that Wayne whatsamyjig seems to have an obsession with anything that takes place in the city centre that isn't rooted in some sort of notional 'golden age' and seems more concerned with getting his name mentioned in the local rag, I think his thoughts are largely irrelevant as I'm not aware that he sells milk and bread in his antique shop. It might be an idea however if Tesco were asked to use their 'heritage' signage which I think they were willing to use on the proposed Hope street store and which they use in a number of sensitive London store locations.

It might be an idea however if Tesco were asked to use their 'heritage' signage which I think they were willing to use on the proposed Hope street store and which they use in a number of sensitive London store locations.

I was going to mention that, when I was in London I seen quite a few Tesco stores (and others really) that didn't have their usual signage on the stores due to the buildings they were located in. It'd be a good idea for Dale street.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfSi0D7KESk

:lol:

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/20130402_123222-1_zps2f8c0169.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/20130402_123313_zps4d6285b1.jpg

A few from me today 6th April 2013

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8625521477_41b96c3c9b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/8625521477/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/8625521477/) by Chris Jeff (http://www.flickr.com/people/earlex/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8522/8625523011_379e9fff10_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/8625523011/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/8625523011/) by Chris Jeff (http://www.flickr.com/people/earlex/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8105/8625524237_a11aac3c48_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/8625524237/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/8625524237/) by Chris Jeff (http://www.flickr.com/people/earlex/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8404/8625525523_b21e143391_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/8625525523/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/earlex/8625525523/) by Chris Jeff (http://www.flickr.com/people/earlex/), on Flickr

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/6391/p1020885f.jpg

I thought they took the scaffolding at the front down ages ago?

Cheers for the pics Doug/Chris. :cheers:

They changed the scaffolding over for some reason.

You can clearly see the box windows on the new build section there. Looking forward to seeing more revealed soon.

Despite it only bring a budget hotel and a Tesco on the main frontage this will do wonders for improving the street scene.

Dale Street is another major thoroughfare being brought back to life. Following Hanover Street, Old Hall Street, Whitechapel and to some extent Duke Street and soon Lime Street. The city's regeneration is continuing apace despite the recession.

Absoutely. This development, the Royal Insurance and Hilton schemes will make a significant impact on this street.

I can't wait for the flyover to be ripped down and for the link with William Brown Street to be reestablished. Imagine bringing a visitor out of Lime Street, on to William Brown and straight down to Dale Street and the terrific impression this would give of the city?

Absoutely. This development, the Royal Insurance and Hilton schemes will make a significant impact on this street.

I can't wait for the flyover to be ripped down and for the link with William Brown Street to be reestablished. Imagine bringing a visitor out of Lime Street, on to William Brown and straight down to Dale Street and the terrific impression this would give of the city?

Wow I didn't appreciate that was the plan when the flyover is taken down - it would certainly be a great route and perhaps improve links to the waterfront. Is the flyover defo coming down...I know its been talked about for some time. The only thing is William Brown Street will a car park at peak times to get to the tunnel.

Wow I didn't appreciate that was the plan when the flyover is taken down - it would certainly be a great route and perhaps improve links to the waterfront. Is the flyover defo coming down...I know its been talked about for some time. The only thing is William Brown Street will a car park at peak times to get to the tunnel.

According to the Strategic Investment Framework yeah, but as you point out there has been talk for several years of removing the flyover.

See page 45 of the SIF for details on reconnecting the William Brown Street area with its surroundings here : http://issuu.com/ihughes007/docs/liverpool_sif_final_issuu/45

I think the plan is to pedestrianise William Brown Street rather than open it up. So traffic would have to go along Lime St, onto Islington and around the back of the Museum to then get down towards Dale Street. Those cobbles won't be removed and would be no good for such a busy road if it was opened up.

I think the plan is to pedestrianise William Brown Street rather than open it up. So traffic would have to go along Lime St, onto Islington and around the back of the Museum to then get down towards Dale Street. Those cobbles won't be removed and would be no good for such a busy road if it was opened up.

Yeah the plan isn't to open up William Brown Street for motorists. I don't think car traffic will be encouraged to go along Lime Street though as St Georges Plateau will be extended across toward the old Great North Western (as some sort of shared space possibly).

The SIF does mention traffic being diverted up St Anne Street and onto Leeds Street via a new road thus keeping as much car traffic out of the city centre as possible.

Anyway this thread is going of course, sorry!

Lime St to Dale St should be our Damrak, and Lime St south should be our Reeperbahn.

That'd save me about a grand every year, too! :cheers:

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj32/buggedboy/20130429_090116_zps70342958.jpg

Scaffolding on the way down this morning. The new build facade still has a bit to do, but maybe they'll be using a cherry picker or something to finish it off.

Getting there bit by bit - another gap filled. Not too keen necessarily on our historic streets being punctuated by modern, but certainly the sneak preview looks a lot better than some of the other post-war constructions on Dale Street.

Strange that they took the scaffold down before finishing the facade. Still, they changed the whole scaffold for no apparent reason fairly recently, so who knows? The Pioneer is looking much healthier though.

As of today:

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l537/openlyjane/New%20Camera%205/DSCN0090_zpsbfd5025b.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/openlyjane/media/New%20Camera%205/DSCN0090_zpsbfd5025b.jpg.html)

http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l537/openlyjane/New%20Camera%205/DSCN0093_zps53660cb4.jpg (http://s1122.photobucket.com/user/openlyjane/media/New%20Camera%205/DSCN0093_zps53660cb4.jpg.html)

I take it that isn't the final exterior?

No, there's some terracotta style cladding to go up yet. Not quite sure why they took down the scaffold in the meantime, but they have a strange track record relating to scaffolding on this scheme, so who knows?

I noticed this morning that the car park elevation seems to be filling up with red brick, which is dissapoiniting as I thought the red brick car park design had been superseded by a newer version.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2600/p1020905m.jpg

They really are all over the place with their scaffolding. Up and down more than a prossies knickers.