I agree. If everbody found it "acceptable", that would set alarm bells ringing.

I love the shape and the colour; my concerns are that the other sides, from what little we've seen of them, don't seem to match up to the standard from this angle. Has there been a river view yet? Because that's usually the first design they knock up.

Couldnt help myself, I really dont like the new design ; (

Ran this up this evening ; )

http://onfinite.com/libraries/1565008/849.jpg

I like the tallest tower, but this it would work better if it was more slimmer. Dont really like the others tbh.

You do realize that 'Dwarfing the limitations of our previous ambitions' means that the limitations of your new ambitions are bigger? (Come to think of it ...)

What is definitely true is that the KE tower should be conceived alongside a masterplan for the whole triangle made up by the industrial estate, a sound point of Peel's, spoiler though it may have been. Whether that 60s planning favourite the subway should be part of it is another matter.

You do realize that 'Dwarfing the limitations of our previous ambitions' means that the limitations of your new ambitions are bigger? (Come to think of it ...).



Yes yes, but I like to keep my limitations under some kind of control so I don't scare those who tremble at the notion of "big" or "tall" architecture. :cheers:

Found this today....


http://*************************/liverpool/king_edward_tower.htm

cheers for the heads up. I won't get my hopes up, the quotes in that article are nearly a month old.

cheers for the heads up. I won't get my hopes up, the quotes in that article are nearly a month old.

yeah its clearly a website filler with old news but hey we get an extra render!

Umn, don't like this view to be honest...

http://*************************/liverpool/jpgs/king_edward_tower_liverpool_p020310_2.jpg

They're just trying to be zany for zany's sake. Why does everything new have to be 'zany'? I can live with the higher part of the tower, but the bottom is just plain daft.

Umn, don't like this view to be honest...

They're just trying to be zany for zany's sake. Why does everything new have to be 'zany'? I can live with the higher part of the tower, but the bottom is just plain daft.

I agree. The view from Leeds Street is fine, but this view, taking in the river-facing elevation, I'm far less keen on. It's like they thrown a bit of everything in. I think a bit of thinning down of features, in a, 'less is more' kind of way would help.

http://*************************/liverpool/jpgs/king_edward_tower_liverpool_p020310_2.jpg


Looks like they went for a cross between Mad Max 2...


http://www.madmaxmovies.com/making/madmax2/Compound/images/ExplosionWreckage.JPG


...and Waterworld...

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/3186683366_6f93d042ef_b.jpg


...and ended up with:


http://primetime.unrealitytv.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/teletubbies.jpg

I really like the base of the tower. I don't understand why people don't like it. I really like the busyness of it. Overly simple pallets bore me. I much prefer it to say, the base of West Tower.

The real question is though, why have we not seen a single shot of the tower from the river? Have they not actually bothered to clad it at all?

The base has a resemblance to doomed The Cloud! As that never saw the light of day...not a good omen!

This looks crap, tall elegant towers like beetham west look good in fact that is the best looking building from the river. New York towers are like this and work, all that shit hanging off is an expensive waste, build em up nice and straight and keep going, high as you like!!

Looks like a bag of spanners.

http://*************************/liverpool/jpgs/king_edward_tower_liverpool_p020310_2.jpg



:hahaha:

I prefer this to the old design but it still won't happen I bet.

What do you reckon the fella in that render, the one next to the traffic lights pointing up towards the tower, is saying?

^^

"Protect our views! How are you supposed to see this traffic island from the Wirral with that tower in the way?"

What do you reckon the fella in that render, the one next to the traffic lights pointing up towards the tower, is saying?

It's our Wayne, desperately trying to think of a phrase other than "trashy tart" to describe it.

What do you reckon the fella in that render, the one next to the traffic lights pointing up towards the tower, is saying?

"Look at the fucking state of that!".

"are you sure we are in liverpool, they don't have the balls to build something like this!"

It's unique. I quite like it.

I don't think because something is 'unique' or requires 'balls' to build automatically makes it good. Like I said, it tries to hard to be zany and so, just looks rather stupid.

No, I agree but it'll probably look better up close. Bit like that ridiculous Beetham big slab in Manchester; looks awful on photos but not so bad up close.

Couple of blokes in yellow jackets and a JCB working on the site this morning, looked like they were tidying the place up a bit, I wonder if someone could be visiting??

I hope it goes ahead.

From the Planning Explorer -

Application Number - 10A/1663
Site Address - Site of Former King Edward PH 37 - 39 Great Howard Street Liverpool L3 7AN
Proposal - To erect 1 x 96 sheet and 2 x 48 sheet display panels. plus fencing to screen and secure the site of former King Edward PH
Applicant - Falcon Outdoor (north) Ltd

Not unexpected admittedly, but it doesn't look like anything will be happening with this development any time soon.

I doubt this will amount to anything now, such a shame

From the Planning Explorer -

Application Number - 10A/1663
Site Address - Site of Former King Edward PH 37 - 39 Great Howard Street Liverpool L3 7AN
Proposal - To erect 1 x 96 sheet and 2 x 48 sheet display panels. plus fencing to screen and secure the site of former King Edward PH
Applicant - Falcon Outdoor (north) Ltd

Not unexpected admittedly, but it doesn't look like anything will be happening with this development any time soon.

hey that sound like works about to start to me.

Does anyone have any news on this?

Is it cancelled or still going ahead?

Anything more on this go past the site nearly every day and still nothing going on :(

Don't think it's happening, either delayed until the market picks up or they will be negotiating something with Peel as I think they lodged opposition due to its proximity with Liverpool Waters.

new Tower proposal by Maurice Shapero, looks quite good http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/shapero-unveils-tallest-tower-in-the-north/8625342.article

Good find, dolores.

67-storey,wowwwwwwww

I like its much more cuboid profile; it would give a great contrast to the curves of the Beetham, West & Alexandra. This spot really needs to be built on.

Nowhere near as good as the previous design, but I'll await details re: cladding before making a final judgement. It looks like a much version of the previous design for the Leo Casino Tower. Itself ok, but it looks strange this big. The shape also looks a bit dated, resembling a 70s scraper e.g. Sears/Willis tower.

A million times better than the previous design! The drawings are excellent:



http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/2/2/1277122_shapero-king-eddy-img457-sketch.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/0/7/1277107_shapero_king_eddy_004ke___Copy__3_.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/1/8/1277118_shapero-king-eddy-007.jpg

what is the likelihood of this getting planning permission? as it looks a bit like something from Gotham City. I do like it, its big!
start date could be what...2 years?

Quite likely. It's in a zone where talks are deemed ok. Doubt it'll get built though.

Without sounding too pesimistic, I doubt this tower will be built. But I agree, it's a nice design!

As Jerry Maguire's architect cousin once said, show me the cladding.

If that hole at the bottom contains a staircase, then that's quite impressive.

However, I'm not even sure if these guys own the land it is being built on.

At the very least though, this getting approved will support other similar talls getting through.

:bow:

OHHH MAAAA GAAAWD.

Damn you Liverpool...always getting the best highrises :(

Isn't it 217m? ...It says it's 217m high, 234m AOD on one of the images.

However, I'm not even sure if these guys own the land it is being built on.

The article from Architect's Journal said this:

Shapero’s skyscraper is backed by Peter Buglass of Custard Pie Properties, who also owns part of the site which was once home to the King Edward Public House.

:)

The article from Architect's Journal said this:



:)


Custard Pie in the Sky

North's tallest tower planned for Liverpool's waterfront
24 Jan 2012, 11:17

New designs, inspired by shipping containers, have been drawn up for a Liverpool tower that would be the tallest in the North.

Hoylake-based Richmont Properties is behind the 67-storey, 199-metre building close to the waterfront at the junction of King Edward Street and Leeds Street.

It is the third design for the old King Edward pub site in the last five years.

Manchester-based Maurice Shapero was brought in after 2010 designs, inset, by Leach Rhodes Walker were rejected by CABE.

His plans will house 350 apartments, 21,000 sq ft of shops, 84,000 sq ft of offices and a 13,000 sq ft restaurant. They are expected to be submitted in March.

The application process is being funded by Richmont, which is co-owned by Wirral businessmen Christopher Richards and William Beaumont, but it is not yet clear if funding is in place for the tower. The application is being handled by Peter Buglass of Custard Pie Properties who also owns part of the site.

The plans for a site so close to the Three Graces could face resistance from the city's planners, but Shapero told Place: "We have had numerous meetings with the planners and have a letter from them unofficially giving their support to the present scheme. We asked them to provide this for the investors to alleviate their understandable concerns about financing another planning application."

Liverpool-based Y1 Developments was involved in the previous plans but it's not know if the company is still involved.

Shapero set up on his own eight years ago after working for David Chipperfield, Michael Wilford, and Steve Hodder in Manchester. His first major project was the Palmiro restaurant building in Whalley Range, Manchester.



http://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/archive/10956-north-s-tallest-tower-planned-for-liverpool-s-waterfront.html

Good luck! :)

Explaining the design – Maurice Shapero

‘The shipping container’ metaphor is a way to discover deeper truths and free creativity, rather than allow it to restrict us by operating at a level of literal representation. A generating idea must not become an attachment, but should act as a gateway to the ‘truth’.

:puke: and then..... :hahaha:

In my world this passes as barely literate.

PS. for the more classically educated:

That's 650 feet tall with 250,000 sq feet of apartments, 21.500 sq feet shops, 83,750 sq feet offices and a 12,500 sq foot restaurant.

A bit if a curveball this one. Let us hope for the best. But while the economy still flatlines, credit remains tight and downtown residential development is as dormant in Liverpool as most of the rest of the country, seeing a scheme as ambitious as this one get on site would be a surprise.

Indulging ourselves in negative speculation for a moment, what do we think the gameplan could be here? Getting serious architects in and going through the planning process with what appears to be a well thought scheme must be expensive. It the plans are not to proceed, what else might be intended by this? Increasing the land value with a hope of selling to Peel as the latter would hate for a rival to their nearby Shanghai tower go ahead? That's my first entirely unsubstantiated guess...

Explaining the design – Maurice Shapero

‘The shipping container’ metaphor is a way to discover deeper truths and free creativity, rather than allow it to restrict us by operating at a level of literal representation. A generating idea must not become an attachment, but should act as a gateway to the ‘truth’.

:puke: and then..... :hahaha:

In my world this passes as barely literate.

PS. for the more classically educated:

That's 650 feet tall with 250,000 sq feet of apartments, 21.500 sq feet shops, 83,750 sq feet offices and a 12,500 sq foot restaurant.


Agree with that.

Dear Lawdy Clawdy, Wayne C will give birth to a Henry Moore sculpture before this gets built!

It looks like a discarded model from Star Wars.

More seriously, that design is very conceptual and would look out of place on the banks of the Mersey imo.

^^ Of course it's conceptual, it's still in development. Most towers start off life like this and then whittle down into mediocrity when quantity surveyors, planners, bureaucrats and businessmen want to dumb it down to a single box shape and paint it grey in case it offends anyone. It reminds me of architecture student projects - the drawings are delightful, the form is unique, the concept strong, and it hasn't yet been ruined by the bureaucrats!

It is the experimentation process you see in these images that leads to great architecture. Setting out to design a grey glass box will only result in a grey glass box. Setting out without having any thoughts about the final design solution will result in some creative thinking and a creative building. Those images show pre-rationalisation - I just hope it keeps some of its charm after the men in suits with their spreadsheets, chequebooks and unimagination look at it. Fingers crossed.

Liverpool Tower To Be Biggest Outside London
Published yesterday afternoon at 5:01 PM.

http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/i/IB7/4KAA_M.jpg

NEW designs, inspired by shipping containers, have been drawn up for a Liverpool tower that would be the tallest outside London, beating Manchester’s Beetham Tower by around 30 metres (100ft).

Criticism can be levelled at his stated inspiration for King Eddy Tower of shipping containers. This is in some ways a banal analogy. Any aesthetic pleasure to be found in shipping containers is accidental.


Hoylake-based Richmont Properties is behind the 67-storey, 199-metre building close to the waterfront at the junction of King Edward Street and Leeds Street.

It is the third design for the old King Edward pub site in the last five years. The Architectural Journal have christened it The King Eddy Tower.

Manchester-based Maurice Shapero was brought in after 2010 designs by Leach Rhodes Walker were rejected by CABE.

Read More (http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/News/Liverpool-Tower-To-Be-Biggest-Outside-London)

Interesting piece on how even when skyscrapers actually get on site they don't always get built - not in this economic climate anyway...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/arrested-development-supertower-cut-down-to-size-6294117.html

Go on then.

Full set.


New plans have emerged to build the tallest building in the north of England

Designed by Maurice Shapero, the 67-storey, 199m-tall skyscraper is proposed for the so-called King Edward site close to Liverpool’s historic waterfront at the junction of the Strand and Leeds Street.

The mixed-use apartment and office tower is the latest in a long line of attempts to build a super high-rise on the plot north of the city centre.

Manchester-based Leach Rhodes Walker (LRW) has already had at least three attempts to draw up viable tower plans on the site including a £130 million proposal for a 165m-tall, curved scheme in early 2010 (see more pictures here - AJ 08.02.10).

Shapero’s skyscraper is backed by Peter Buglass of Custard Pie Properties, who also owns part of the site which was once home to the King Edward Public House.

The scheme, which has been inspired by the ‘notion of the shipping container’ will house 22,986m² of apartments, 1,966m² of shops, 7,744m² of offices and a 1,168m² restaurant.

In a letter seen by the AJ, CABE gave the scheme its ‘qualified support’, adding: ‘We welcome the decision to abandon the previous scheme design [by LRW]. The adoption of a rectilinear building plan and form is a bold move that could work well for the site; the concept appears to have emerged
from a more rigorous process of design development that has considered the building’s orientation, plan form, form and massing, and architectural expression as a
piece.’

A planning application is expected to be submitted this spring.

Explaining the design – Maurice Shapero

‘The shipping container’ metaphor is a way to discover deeper truths and free creativity, rather than allow it to restrict us by operating at a level of literal representation. A generating idea must not become an attachment, but should act as a gateway to the ‘truth’.

The scheme is generated from sub-units or blocks stacked to form a larger body. This orthogonal intervention springs from the line set up by Urbed’s master plan which determines a connection from Old Hall Street, through to the water front. This creates a strong orthogonal geometry on the site appropriate for a building of such importance. However, such rational geometry alone would tend to generate a sterile, overbearing form devoid of local topology. To counteract this is a case of allowing the site shape and fall to erode the imposed Cartesian grid. The curve of the site boundary staggers the geometry introducing irrationality into the plan form, which because it is generated from site conditions avoids wilful, arbitrary contrivance. We therefore achieve a harmonious balance of rationality and irrationality contained with the same form.

The notion of allowing the interaction of the irregular site form and the abstract three dimensional grid, is expressed in the elevations by using the slope of the site to stagger separate, plan generated towers, so the top of the building steps in classic skyscraper fashion.


People will live above the shadows with a panoramic view of a beautiful city, experiencing the sun’s path from east to eest. The horizontal and vertical slot windows project a changing sequence of light beams across space, time and surface. The character of each particle ray of light is subtly different depending on the position of the glass in the wall reveal. The north-west face of the building is highly insulated with deep 400mm window reveals. The south-east elevation is more transparent, giving views to the water and receiving southern sunshine.

The top of each tower has a particular sculptural expression. The common theme is the opportunity to provide external space and top light for the apartment below. At such heights these external spaces are protected with high walls of glass and solid, giving a clear view of the sky and a slightly filtered view of the city below.

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/0/9/1277109_shapero_king_eddy__vimg420___Copy___Copy.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/2/2/1277122_shapero-king-eddy-img457-sketch.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/2/1/1277121_shapero-king-eddy-img457-sketch-1.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/2/0/1277120_shapero-king-eddy-img408.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/1/9/1277119_shapero-king-eddy-006.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/1/8/1277118_shapero-king-eddy-007.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/1/6/1277116_shapero_king_eddy_003___Copy___Copy.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/1/3/1277113_shapero_king_eddy_001ke___Copy___Copy.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/0/7/1277107_shapero_king_eddy_004ke___Copy__3_.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/1/1/1277111_shapero_king_eddy_001___Copy.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/0/6/1277106_shapero_king_eddy_004___Copy.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/1/0/1277110_shapero_king_eddy__wind_tunnel___Copy__3_.jpg

Wind tunnel test of Maurice Shapero’s ‘King Eddy’ tower in Liverpool

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/1/2/1277112_shapero_king_eddy_001__217.jpg

http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/pictures/576x432fitpad[0]/1/0/8/1277108_shapero_king_eddy_DSC_0126___Copy___Copy__2_.jpg


http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/daily-news/shapero-unveils-tallest-tower-in-the-north/8625342.article

why does it say 217m on pic but 199m on thread?

why does it say 217m on pic but 199m on thread?

Probably because when this thread was started back in 2005 a completely different design was planned.I think this is the third proposal now.

so? it said 170m last month on thread but recently it has changed to 199m but the picture clearly states 217m so is it a proposed 199m or 217m?

so? it said 170m last month on thread but recently it has changed to 199m but the picture clearly states 217m so is it a proposed 199m or 217m?

Must be 217m as it states tallest outside of London.

Increasing the land value with a hope of selling to Peel as the latter would hate for a rival to their nearby Shanghai tower go ahead? That's my first entirely unsubstantiated guess...

^^ this

^^ this

Didn't they pay 6.4 million for the site that was worth £150,000 wonder how much they want now?

Didn't they pay 6.4 million for the site that was worth £150,000 wonder how much they want now?

This is like when that company (Reddington i think) bought the Lairds site , got an architect to knock up some drawings and models about how they were gonna redevelop the Birkenhead waterfront , the big shed was gonna be a ski centre :ohno:
Within months Peel bought them out for an undisclosed sum because it would have affected their Wirral Waters plan
This new King Eddy tower , which i would love to see built , could be more land speculating !

^^ I remember that. It was called the Woodside/ Hamilton Quarter or something, wasn't it?

^^ this

:yes:

^^ and was fully supported and promoted as a viable project by the MP for Birkenhead. :ohno:

Wet Dream. And thats its all it ever will be.
Would be a great addition to your great skyline though.

Wet Dream. And thats its all it ever will be.
Would be a great addition to your great skyline though.But! If it were to be built it would open the floodgates to talls all along the northern Mersey docklands and, your opinion is just that, an opinion.

I think he's right though, without sounding negative, it won't be built.

I think he's right though, without sounding negative, it won't be built.



But allowing any logic into the assesment his opinion is just that....negative.
Saying it won't be built is saying that Liverpool will never attract another significant high rise.

The city continues to have an important commercial sector with largish lettings. The residential population of the city centre has expanded massively and there is a real fashion and cache for living in the centre, the service and tourist sector is booming with consequent hotel/catering and restaurant investment and lettings. Given these realities there is nothing far fetched about Liverppol Waters, so why should there be about the the King Edward Tower

Speculation drives any modern economy......there has been a planning grid for building skyscrapers in this area for about 45 years and even speculation has a quality of its own. If this is a cynical attempt to increase land values (which I doubt) it's been done by spending large amounts of cash on associated services (architect fees. other services. wind tunnel tests) Better that this cash is spent in the real economy instead of sitting in a speculators bank account. Even higher land values have important knock on effects, boosting market confidence and attracting investment.

If people started to understand capitalism, were a bit more accepting, they might find that its a wonderful thing. It can move mountains and if Liverpool once achieved an almost legendery status as a wonder of the world by the mid victorian period then why on the earth can't it achieve something similar today.

The King Edward tower is a very small achievable step.

it might get built but if it does then not for a long while like in the 20s

But allowing any logic into the assesment his opinion is just that....negative.
Saying it won't be built is saying that Liverpool will never attract another significant high rise.

The city continues to have an important commercial sector with largish lettings. The residential population of the city centre has expanded massively and there is a real fashion and cache for living in the centre, the service and tourist sector is booming with consequent hotel/catering and restaurant investment and lettings. Given these realities there is nothing far fetched about Liverppol Waters, so why should there be about the the King Edward Tower

Speculation drives any modern economy......there has been a planning grid for building skyscrapers in this area for about 45 years and even speculation has a quality of its own. If this is a cynical attempt to increase land values (which I doubt) it's been done by spending large amounts of cash on associated services (architect fees. other services. wind tunnel tests) Better that this cash is spent in the real economy instead of sitting in a speculators bank account. Even higher land values have important knock on effects, boosting market confidence and attracting investment.

If people started to understand capitalism, were a bit more accepting, they might find that its a wonderful thing. It can move mountains and if Liverpool once achieved an almost legendery status as a wonder of the world by the mid victorian period then why on the earth can't it achieve something similar today.

The King Edward tower is a very small achievable step.

Im sorry but thats all nonsense in relation to this building actually getting built.
Your points are all valid and in theory should warrant the aproval. But we all know how prudent the economy is at the moment, its been highlighted in this thread im sure.
The sales of city properties are increasing throughout the country and will do so for some time in my opinion, this alone should promote regeneration to such an extent that skyscrapers will be the only option.
However in this current volatile economic climate its just too risky, double dip on the way too... its playing with fire.

I really would love to see this go up, not only would it make your skyline photos even more prettier, it would also allievate the stance on skyscrapers in provincial cities.

Would be immense if this got built, no doubt the heritage nazis would want it cut in half though.