Great news that we have another hotel to anchor this project.

Not the loveliest, but in the current climate, I've regressed somewhat into my pre-millenial "I don't care what it looks like, just damn well build it" desperation.

http://www.gocestateagents.com/Kings%20Dock%20Mill/banner.jpg

http://www.gocestateagents.com/Kings%20Dock%20Mill/banner2.jpg



Second city Hilton for Baltic Triangle

Sep 11 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S second Hilton Hotel is to anchor a £47m development in the Baltic Triangle, which yesterday secured significant funding.

The Kings Dock Mill development will also include 188 apartments and 3,600 sq ft of office space.

Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets confirmed yesterday it had agreed to provide £22.5m to architect-developer LAG Prichard despite the ongoing economic uncertainty.

The scheme has already received £5m mezzanine funding from Investec Private Bank.

Jonathon Prichard, of Liverpool-based LAG Prichard, believes this agreement shows the confidence and strength within the city.

“This development is another sign of Liverpool’s continued renaissance – the fact that we secured funding for this scheme and can now start on site in the current market place shows its quality and the confidence we have in the city. We’ve worked closely with the city council and Liverpool Vision to ensure that the scheme is in keeping with the existing architecture in this area of Liverpool.”

The 151-bedroom hotel will be operated under the Hampton by Hilton brand, which is the firm’s vehicle to enter the economy hotel market. Hampton by Hilton Liverpool City is only the third to be commissioned in the UK, with others planned for Corby and Birmingham.

A Hilton spokesperson said: “Liverpool is a key location as we seek to introduce the Hilton family of hotels in the UK.”

It is part of Hilton’s ambition to double the number of hotels it has in the UK to 150 within a decade. It will be run as a franchise by Somerston Hotels.

The hotel is due to open at the end of 2009. The 1.5-acre Kings Dock Mill development, which is on the former site of flag manufacturers Porter Bros, is due to be completed in January 2010.

In July the Daily Post revealed how a neighbouring site at the Baltic Triangle is likely to be left semi-derelict for years after a marketing campaign to 800 developers failed to find a buyer.

The site, spanning The Strand and Hurst Street, was destined to be the first part of the development, a £50m high-rise apartment scheme.

Administrators were brought in to determine the future of the Baltic Triangle site last spring, after a legal wrangle between developers, Windsor Developments (Liverpool) and contractors Laing O’Rourke.

i think it will looks alright
a liverpool one style hilton hotel just wouldnt look right in that area.


where exactly will this sit?

I wish they could get over the red brick cladding nonsense. I will wait for better renders before I fully judge it though.

Great news that we have another hotel to anchor this project.

Not the loveliest, but in the current climate, I've regressed somewhat into my pre-millenial "I don't care what it looks like, just damn well build it" desperation.

http://www.gocestateagents.com/Kings%20Dock%20Mill/banner.jpg

http://www.gocestateagents.com/Kings%20Dock%20Mill/banner2.jpg



Second city Hilton for Baltic Triangle

Sep 11 2008 by Alex Turner, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S second Hilton Hotel is to anchor a £47m development in the Baltic Triangle, which yesterday secured significant funding.

The Kings Dock Mill development will also include 188 apartments and 3,600 sq ft of office space.

Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets confirmed yesterday it had agreed to provide £22.5m to architect-developer LAG Prichard despite the ongoing economic uncertainty.

The scheme has already received £5m mezzanine funding from Investec Private Bank.

Jonathon Prichard, of Liverpool-based LAG Prichard, believes this agreement shows the confidence and strength within the city.

“This development is another sign of Liverpool’s continued renaissance – the fact that we secured funding for this scheme and can now start on site in the current market place shows its quality and the confidence we have in the city. We’ve worked closely with the city council and Liverpool Vision to ensure that the scheme is in keeping with the existing architecture in this area of Liverpool.”

The 151-bedroom hotel will be operated under the Hampton by Hilton brand, which is the firm’s vehicle to enter the economy hotel market. Hampton by Hilton Liverpool City is only the third to be commissioned in the UK, with others planned for Corby and Birmingham.

A Hilton spokesperson said: “Liverpool is a key location as we seek to introduce the Hilton family of hotels in the UK.”

It is part of Hilton’s ambition to double the number of hotels it has in the UK to 150 within a decade. It will be run as a franchise by Somerston Hotels.

The hotel is due to open at the end of 2009. The 1.5-acre Kings Dock Mill development, which is on the former site of flag manufacturers Porter Bros, is due to be completed in January 2010.

In July the Daily Post revealed how a neighbouring site at the Baltic Triangle is likely to be left semi-derelict for years after a marketing campaign to 800 developers failed to find a buyer.

The site, spanning The Strand and Hurst Street, was destined to be the first part of the development, a £50m high-rise apartment scheme.

Administrators were brought in to determine the future of the Baltic Triangle site last spring, after a legal wrangle between developers, Windsor Developments (Liverpool) and contractors Laing O’Rourke.

Just to clarify,this the site on Cornhill where work has already started.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/bal.jpg

Just to clarify,this the site on Cornhill where work has already started.

Yes, you can see the Baltic Fleet in front.

Not the loveliest, but in the current climate, I've regressed somewhat into my pre-millenial "I don't care what it looks like, just damn well build it" desperation.

I know what you mean, but I'm trying not to regress to that state as that mindset is how we ended up with such architectural treats as the Doll's House and the Formule 1.

I said in another thread that I think a black/grey/white cladding scheme would have made this scheme look somewhat better, but I suppose based on the design as presented, the irregular form adds a little interest, but I'm still not 100% sold.

Away from the design, it's a great vote of confidence in the city that Hilton want to open another hotel here, despite the economic uncertainty, and even better that it's in the Baltic Triangle which has suffered from a lot of uncertainty of it's own. Ideally placed for the arena this one as well, which I'm sure much have had something to do with the decision to locate here. Just one thought. What is happening with those industrial sheds? They're not the most pleasant thing to look out over.

Away from the design, it's a great vote of confidence in the city that Hilton want to open another hotel here, despite the economic uncertainty, and even better that it's in the Baltic Triangle which has suffered from a lot of uncertainty of it's own. Ideally placed for the arena this one as well, which I'm sure much have had something to do with the decision to locate here. Just one thought. What is happening with those industrial sheds? They're not the most pleasant thing to look out over.


agree with that. not the best looking though.

I would have thought that they could still encourage developments there. In a better economic climate, we would have had all those approvals built, which wuold have done wonders for the area. As it is, this development will add to the area and hopefully encourage others to do so.

The lack of movement in the apartment market has meant that hotels, offices, maybe even college buildings etc could move into the area. This may in the end result in a more balanced community.

I assume that bizarre space cube block is the hotel. The lay by suggests a drop off point.

Wooly Back Architecture:

http://www.gocestateagents.com/Kings%20Dock%20Mill/banner.jpg

http://www.gocestateagents.com/Kings%20Dock%20Mill/banner2.jpg

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2049/ugghaa3.jpg

Grosvenor's Waterside development uses a more appropriate brick:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2330197339_091af85b4c_b.jpg

What are the odds that the opaque strips between the glazed sections will be mint green?

If they use grey like hte development above they will avoid a potential banana skin.

What are the odds that the opaque strips between the glazed sections will be mint green?

If they use grey like hte development above they will avoid a potential banana skin.

Doesn't look green in the renders.

If it turns out to be mint green in reality though, then this will be one of the ugliest new builds in the city.

That red brick is bloody relentless. They could have at least chucked in some sections of white render to break it up a bit.

I have a feeling the render is making the bricks look worse than in reality, they may be closer to the newbuild nearby.

I agree with JUXTY. It's certainly not subtle architecture and I think the render does it no favours. But I actually quite like it. I think it's quite a bold statement design wise, somewhere between retro and modern, and I think the large glass sections at the top save it from being 'just another red brick block'..

I also can't help but be pleased that they're actually building something here. The strand is becoming one of the cities best assets, so it needs to be lined with decent buildings. I think the days of being able to be picky about what developments we get where are well and truly over (and the planners scuppered most of the best offers we ever got anyway, so no real change then..)

I reckon this one will be a case of 'wait and see'..

Interesting that `Hilton` / `Hampton` are prepared to invest yet more whilst the first is not yet completed. With so many hotels looking for business they will have to continue to `market` to all types of business needs.

That should be encouraging.

Interesting that `Hilton` / `Hampton` are prepared to invest yet more whilst the first is not yet completed. With so many hotels looking for business they will have to continue to `market` to all types of business needs.

That should be encouraging.Or, if Peel's promise of making the Port of Liverpool a cruise terminal then we can expect even more hotels.

Or, if Peel's promise of making the Port of Liverpool a cruise terminal then we can expect even more hotels.

The more the merrier and they don`t all have to be gigantic hotels, just offer what the customer can pay for and enjoy.

So the crane has gone up on this development! Gladly I was not seeing this as I was walking down the strand. Good to see some movement on this one in the doom and gloom of the recent eceonomic times. This is quite a big development for that area and will make a good impact.

First one to get a picture of the crane wins a pint!

Lets update the crane count!

You bugger i seen a crane being erected yesterday from my 6th story studio in Clarence st i thought it was on the vermont site. I could have had that picture signed sealed and delivered :(

Good to see this one moving forward. Although we still have a fair number of projects in the pipeline, we have relatively few on-site, so anything that is progressing is to be welcomed.

Lets update the crane count!

Done. :)

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/baltic3.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/balticc.jpg
Slow but steady progress.

^^

Thanks for the updates GV. :cheers:

^^^^ Cheers Chris,not exactly David Bailey standard:) but we can see some progress.

Thanks for the photos GV.

They've done quite a lot there with a contiguous piled wall and excavation of the basement plus what looks like foundations for columns, walls and services cores plus, of course, a tower crane. Should see this one coming out of the ground very shortly.

Anyone who wants any information on this project let me know.

Inside Information!!!!

Anyone who wants any information on this project let me know.

Inside Information!!!!

Will it be as pig-ugly as the renders?

P.m. me.

Will it be as pig-ugly as the renders?

P.m. me.

Unfortunately yes. Blame the architects!

Unfortunately yes. Blame the architects!

not technically their fault, the developer stipulates what they want and in what budget and the architects have to make the best they can out of that, that said i wouldn't describe it as pig ugly. just rather forgettable. if people want to see what pig ugly really is they should be looking at the other budget hotels across the street a la ibis and camponile

not technically their fault, the developer stipulates what they want and in what budget and the architects have to make the best they can out of that, that said i wouldn't describe it as pig ugly. just rather forgettable. if people want to see what pig ugly really is they should be looking at the other budget hotels across the street a la ibis and camponile

On this project the developer and the architect is the same person - Jonathon Prichard.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/DevelopmentSummary/HamptonbyHilton1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/DevelopmentSummary/HamptonbyHilton2.jpg

I think that this building is ideal for its setting. It has the massing to reflect the scale of the Wapping Warehouses and restore a streetscape to the area following on from its former use as single storey factories. I also like its combination of brick and black glass - that gives it a modern urban feel. Totally agree about the Dolby, Ibis and Campanile hotels - this one is a breath of fresh air by comparison.

My only reservation is that the developers run out of money before it is completed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/DevelopmentSummary/HamptonbyHilton1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/DevelopmentSummary/HamptonbyHilton2.jpg

I think that this building is ideal for its setting. It has the massing to reflect the scale of the Wapping Warehouses and restore a streetscape to the area following on from its former use as single storey factories.


I am afraid it will look like much other cheap tat built. Nothing at pavement level. The area was once shops and warehouses....
http://www.yoliverpool.com/images/dockhouse/c%20house.jpg

http://img.artsolution.net/tsmedia/GreenMedia/SP4675.jpg?qlt=75&ftr=8&cell=400,400&cvt=jpeg
...which looked much nicer.

whos the contractor on this one please?

whos the contractor on this one please?

The contractor is Bowmer & Kirkland. Originally from Belper in Derbyshire but now have a regional office in Manchester.

Just to update you all on some earlier posts:

The project is actually running behind programme and the Hotel is not due to be open until Spring 2010. At the same time as this 25% of the apartments will be handed over (45 No.).

The completion date is (at the minute) September 2010. The remainder of the apartments will be handed over in phases throughout 2010 with the last block of 45 being September - 190 in total

Planning is imminent for a further hotel and more apartments to be built on the Pilkington Glass site. The proposals are to close Tabley St (pedestrians only) and have a coffee shop/cafe with external seating.

The second crane (a luffing jib) will be erected in March/April 09. This crane has a 40m radius which is bigger than the current one. The crane will be a lot higher too!

There is a two storey car park in the basements with 65% of the parking being alloted to the hotel. So if your thinking of buying an apartment with a parking space think again as the developer has already sold nearly half of the apartments (allegedly)

Cheers
II

^^

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date on the progress of this one. Much appreciated. :cheers:

Thanks for the info II. Another hotel block on the Pilkington site? Is it the same developer? I'd normally be cynical that anything would get off the ground in the current climate, but the developer of Kings Dock Mill seems able to make his numbers stack up and get funding from the bankers, so anything is possible I suppose.

Is the Pilkington site being taken on by the same people?

Thanks for the info II. Another hotel block on the Pilkington site? Is it the same developer? I'd normally be cynical that anything would get off the ground in the current climate, but the developer of Kings Dock Mill seems able to make his numbers stack up and get funding from the bankers, so anything is possible I suppose.

Is the Pilkington site being taken on by the same people?

The Pilkington site is currently being used by Bowmer & Kirkland as their site offices, storage & welfare facilities.

The idea (once planning is approved) is to demolish Pilks in about 18 months and then commence work on the newly formed site to coincide with the completion of Kings Dock Mill (official title).

So in answer to your question - Yes it is the same developer (Jonathon Prichard) but not necessarily the same contractor. Although in the current climate, it is a big carrot to dangle in front of B&K!!!

Cheers

The hoardings around the site (the Cornhill side) have no spy holes to check out progress, this is the best I could get.


http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8141/p1000192wm4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Thanks Paul,I'm amazed we ever got this off the gound the way things have gone.

Are you talking to yourself again?:nuts:

Are you talking to yourself again?:nuts:


I't's the new medication Paul.:)

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/baltic3.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/balticc.jpg
Slow but steady progress.

Anymore photo's from your balcony view???

It seems an extremely small site, considering how large the project rendering appears! *is confused*

Brief update

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/1851/p1010734gi1.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6357/p1010735uc7.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2173/p1010736kb6.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3321/p1010737of6.jpg

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6186/p1010738vu2.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1175/p1010739ia4.jpg

Thanks for the update Joe.

Cheers Doug. Best I could manage poking my camera through gaps in the fence and balancing on various pieces of street furniture.

Nice too see construction works still going on, although i do wonder for how long with the proposed redundancys at the steel factories.
kat

The redundancies are caused by the price of steel collapsing. This is good for the building industry..

[IMG]http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1175/p1010739ia4.jpg

Like this one.....

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/bal8.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/balticcccc.jpg Just a couple to add to Joe's update.

Great pics GV, thanks for the update.

they're certainly not wasting any time with this one!!

Great pics GV, thanks for the update.

Cheers Doug.I've got a good vantage point there so i'll try and keep everyone updated.

Quality pics them GV,I thought they were taken off the official website.

Cheers Paul. :cheers:

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/ball3.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/bally.jpg A couple of pics taken friday.

Nice one GV. I was going there this afternoon to get some pics. Saves me a trip.

Cheers Joe. My little contribution,great updates and pics from yourself and everyone else are appreciated.:cheers:

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/bail2.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/bail.jpg Yesterday.

Amazing progress on the site.

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/bail2.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/bail.jpg Yesterday.

Anymore photo updates?

great proyect

http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/balltt.jpg
http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff164/evertonia8/ballt.jpg today.

Thanks for the update GV. :cheers:

Am I right in thinking that they're only intending to use poured concrete for the basement levels, and will use pre-cast concrete pieces for the other levels, because that's what it looks like. If so, this one could start going up quite quickly now.

you're right chris, I saw them lifting them into place the other day.
also saw the blocks on the back of a low loader coming down aigburth road yesterday

The concrete upto transfer slab is pre-cast (that is 1st floor level to you and us) and then the rest will be PCC (pre cast concrete). The progress of the erection of the PCC panels will happen very quickly. You should see this building grow over the next few weeks.
Cheers
II

The concrete upto transfer slab is pre-cast (that is 1st floor level to you and us) and then the rest will be PCC (pre cast concrete). The progress of the erection of the PCC panels will happen very quickly. You should see this building grow over the next few weeks. All the Bathrooms are 'Pods' which means they come to site and are basically put in place and 'plugged' in!!!!
Cheers
II

^^

Thanks for the information. :cheers:

That's interesting about the bathrooms. Makes sense though, as bathrooms must be one of the most time consuming rooms to complete. Good news about the pre-cast panels too. With the few other developments we have on-going progressing at a somewhat slow rate, it'll be good to see something fly up for a change.

This project is certainly flying along, with pre-cast panels installed on level one. Puzzling, though, that one of the tower cranes has been replaced with what looks like a heavier-duty Wolff luffing jib; that took all of last weekend.:ohno:

SEE POST FROM DECEMBER LAST YEAR BELOW WITH REGARDS TO CRANES.

It was decided to erect TC2 early to speed up the concrete works below and then change it over to the Luffing one you see today. .......

The project is actually running behind programme and the Hotel is not due to be open until Spring 2010. At the same time as this 25% of the apartments will be handed over (45 No.).

The completion date is (at the minute) September 2010. The remainder of the apartments will be handed over in phases throughout 2010 with the last block of 45 being September - 190 in total

Planning is imminent for a further hotel and more apartments to be built on the Pilkington Glass site. The proposals are to close Tabley St (pedestrians only) and have a coffee shop/cafe with external seating.

The second crane (a luffing jib) will be erected in March/April 09. This crane has a 40m radius which is bigger than the current one. The crane will be a lot higher too!

There is a two storey car park in the basements with 65% of the parking being alloted to the hotel. So if your thinking of buying an apartment with a parking space think again as the developer has already sold nearly half of the apartments (allegedly)

Cheers
II[/QUOTE]

Where is the Pilkinton site again? I know its around there but i can't nail down precisely where. Anybody got a map view with both these sites on it?

Its the big Green warehouse that you can see in most of the Photo's.

The Bwmer and Kirkland one? Ah right. That second hotel sounds interesting. Any idea as to timescales? Are the projects linked in any way (is the secnd dependant on the success of the first?).

Cheers for the info by the way.

The second hotel is still in for planning. It is pretty much dependent on the 'Hampton by Hilton' hotel only because it will be the same developer and Architects.

Bowmer & Kirkland are renting the Pilkingtons unit from LAGP Architects who is Jonathan Pritchard who is the developer.

The timescale for commencing the 2nd hotel (if it goes ahead) is spring/summer 2010.

Hope this clears it up for you.

Cheers.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3509927827_2fe413c1d8_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3583/3509923777_2a8df9f33b_b.jpg

May 7th 2009

With hardly anything being built outside of the Pier Head area, it's good to see at least one development on site and progressing well.

Not wishing to put a dampner on this project but Bowmer & Kirkland have issued ALL their employees a 90 day consultation period letter!!!! Basically this means they are in trouble and are looking at getting rid of their staff!!!!

Not wishing to put a dampner on this project but Bowmer & Kirkland have issued ALL their employees a 90 day consultation period letter!!!! Basically this means they are in trouble and are looking at getting rid of their staff!!!!

Thats grim news, lets us hope that it doesn`t lead to a complete shutdown.:ohno:

A few pics from this morning...............

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpoolvisit17May09011.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpoolvisit17May09072.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpoolvisit17May09074.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpoolvisit17May09076.jpg

I hope we're not going to have another abandoned site in the 'Baltic Triangle' to go with the concrete services core left standing on the Strand

About the abandoned site, I had been past it a few times and never realised it was abandoned until reading through the forums here, so I think the same might be true of a lot of other people unless they pass it every single day.

Its always nice to see things under construction as that is 'progress', so the abandoned site almost functions as a permanent monument to progress (so long as people don't catch on to the truth!)

The Kings Dock Mill site this afternoon:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/Baltic%20Triangle/090523-1.jpg

^^

Thanks Martin. That is really motoring. I like the fact it's helping to return some height to the area, which because of stalled developments, vacant plots, and single storey industrial sheds, had increasingly became rather flat.

BTW - What is that steel tower right next to the luffing tower crane? Is that part of the development or something else?

it is on the site yeah,
dont know what its for but its been there for a couple of weeks

^^

Thanks Martin. That is really motoring. I like the fact it's helping to return some height to the area, which because of stalled developments, vacant plots, and single storey industrial sheds, had increasingly became rather flat.

BTW - What is that steel tower right next to the luffing tower crane? Is that part of the development or something else?

Not sure but it might be a structural core for the next stage of the development.

it is on the site yeah,
dont know what its for but its been there for a couple of weeks

Not sure but it might be a structural core for the next stage of the development.

Thanks chaps. :cheers:

The Baltic Fleet

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpoolvisit24May09-HMSDaring325.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpoolvisit24May09-HMSDaring324.jpg

This "heritage" pub has become SSC waterfront office:cheers::cheers:

^^

Thanks Martin. That is really motoring. I like the fact it's helping to return some height to the area, which because of stalled developments, vacant plots, and single storey industrial sheds, had increasingly became rather flat.

BTW - What is that steel tower right next to the luffing tower crane? Is that part of the development or something else?

Its the steel staircore for the 2nd phase of the apartment block. Precast stair flights will be introduced which sit on the steel landing trimmers.

II

^^

:cheers:

This really does bulk out the view down the strand. Good stuff, just hope the cladding is good.

This really does bulk out the view down the strand. Good stuff, just hope the cladding is good.

If you like RED brick it will look great!

If you like RED brick it will look great!
Glad you're here, II:cheers:

Some pictures from this afternoon, including the brick cladding starting to appear.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/Baltic%20Triangle/090614-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/Baltic%20Triangle/090614-2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/Baltic%20Triangle/090614-3.jpg

First time I've seen this site in the flesh for a while. Quite impressed by the scale of.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4821/16062009792.jpg

The Baltic Fleet

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpoolvisit24May09-HMSDaring325.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpoolvisit24May09-HMSDaring324.jpg

This "heritage" pub has become SSC waterfront office:cheers::cheers:

:lol: Nothing wrong with genuine heritage, the place wreaks of old semen!

:lol: Nothing wrong with genuine heritage, the place wreaks of old semen!

When the south docks were fully operational that pace had electric atmosphere from 4 till 7 and at lunchtimes. So did the Coburg - which was a place for trans-Atlantic passengers to stay or dine when Brunswick and Coburg Docks were berths for passenger liners. The Coburg river lock gate s were very wide to accommodate trans-Atlantic paddle steamers.

Yesterday

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/6952/dsc0103p.jpg


Makes quite a difference to the skyline when looking down the strand
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4285/dsc0179z.jpg

When the south docks were fully operational that pace had electric atmosphere from 4 till 7 and at lunchtimes. So did the Coburg - which was a place for trans-Atlantic passengers to stay or dine when Brunswick and Coburg Docks were berths for passenger liners. The Coburg river lock gate s were very wide to accommodate trans-Atlantic paddle steamers.

Aye.

Sometimes John could be just sooooooooo right!

Aesthetically, I prefer it the colour it is now before the cladding goes on and gives it a touch of the Dolbys. Hopefully when the police HQ eventually goes it will be replaced by a building that is clad in something different so that might tone it down a little.

A crane has Collapsed at what i think is the hampton hilton.

http://twitpic.com/9hinc

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ts0/3694005518/

Was just out running and there were tons of fire engines and ambulances heading that way. Wondered what was going on.

Hope nobody is hurt. The way the crane has fallen on top of flats doesn't look good.

^^

Agreed, it doesn't look good. I hope everyone is OK.

It might be worth listening to the news on Radio Merseyside. The twitpic is amazing - it really does look as though the crane has melted.

LivEchonews Just heard the crane driver is injured but it's not yet known how seriously. People are trapped in the bulding :half a minute ago from Power Twitter

http://twitpic.com/9hk6o

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petecarr/3694081364/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/petecarr/3693268799/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigmageephotography/3693305195/

I was in town and saw fire engines racing, it's the Chandler's wharf building that the crane landed on, quite a surreal sight.

ouch :(

NWT reported that the crane operator was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being taken to the Royal with serious injuries.

hope hes alright,

heres another picture, by craigmageephotography (http://www.flickr.com/photos/craigmageephotography/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2653/3693359207_1f0227bde7_b.jpg

I hope he's alright,there seems to be too much of this happening lately.

The Kings Dock Mill site this afternoon:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v421/Martin_S/Baltic%20Triangle/090523-1.jpg



Shows you how much the crane must have fallen.

http://www.vanilladays.com/gallery/2009/07/liverpool_crane_collapse_at_chandlers_warf/

Hope everyone is ok and that is the most important thing. Of course, this will delay the project by 6 months or so now too. We do seem to have had our fair share of these in recent history.

I heard the crane crashing down earlier as I pulled up outside NOVAS- thought it was just thunder. Hope everyone is ok.

Before breaking off to report on Obama's Russia trip, Sky News mentioned that the crane operator reportedly managed to leap from the cab onto a roof, but in doing so broke both legs.

Judging by the image that Yoshef posted, the crane has done a backward somersault in that the jib is now pointing in the wrong direction.

That sort of accident is not uncommon with cranes, although it normally occurs with mobiles rather than fixed tower cranes. In normal operation, the concrete counterweight on the small arm behind the cab counteracts the overturning effect of the crane jib and the load on the hook. However, if the crane is unloaded and the jib is at a very high angle, the overturning effect of the counterweight can make the whole structure lose its balance.

This is only speculation but we know that this crane replaced an earlier smaller crane and it may be the case that the foundation for the earlier crane was not up to the larger loading from the bigger crane.

Judging by the image that Yoshef posted, the crane has done a backward somersault in that the jib is now pointing in the wrong direction.

That sort of accident is not uncommon with cranes, although it normally occurs with mobiles rather than fixed tower cranes. In normal operation, the concrete counterweight on the small arm behind the cab counteracts the overturning effect of the crane jib and the load on the hook. However, if the crane is unloaded and the jib is at a very high angle, the overturning effect of the counterweight can make the whole structure lose its balance.

This is only speculation but we know that this crane replaced an earlier smaller crane and it may be the case that the foundation for the earlier crane was not up to the larger loading from the bigger crane.


This is only hear say but I dont think you are a million miles away mate.

At the moment I cannot say too much - watch this space.

Cheers
II

A Wolffkran tower crane has collapsed near Liverpool city centre in the UK.

The crane, on hire from HTC Plant, fell backwards onto a four-storey apartment building on Tabley Street at lunchtime.


A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said the crane operator has been taken to hospital, and was conscious at the time.

The spokesperson said rescue crews had carried out a full door-to-door search of the building as they had received calls from residents trapped in their homes due to damage to escape routes. Eight adults were rescued from the third and fourth floors of the building, with no injuries.

http://www.cranestodaymagazine.com/story.asp?sectioncode=244&storycode=2053502&c=1

http://www.wolffkran.de/modules/mod_medien/files/m484.pdf

Crane construction Manual and use

Liverpool crane driver suffers horrific injuries – why did it happen?
Jul 7 2009
by Samantha Parker, Liverpool Daily Post

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/ldp2/jul2009/7/2/crane-collapse-at-chandlers-wharf-460-79626173.jpg

A CRANE driver was left fighting for his life in Merseyside’s latest crane accident – just a week before government officials will launch a bid to tackle building site safety.

The driver was thrown from the 200ft machine as it smashed into a city centre apartment block. Its five-tonne counterweight careered through six occupied floors and into the building’s sub-basement.

Last night, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed it was days away from launching a campaign to force all tower crane operators to join a safety register.

Since April, it has carried out “targeted inspections” of cranes and was asked by ministers to start the register sooner in a bid to curb the number of devastating construction site accidents.

There have been at least 11 other high-profile crane smashes in Merseyside since 2006.

More (http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/07/07/liverpool-crane-driver-suffers-horrific-injuries-why-did-it-happen-92534-24090257/)...

Lunchtime today

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9905/p1010841sba.jpg

If anyone is passing this site could they please do me a favour and let me know what (Project Manager) name is on the 'Considerate Contractors' information boards that are fixed around the site hoarding.
The board will say: -

Name of Project = Kings Dock Mill
Project Manager = ??????????????

It is the Project managers name that I would like to find out please.

Cheers

In the wake of the crane collapse, Bowmer & Kirkland have restarted work on the apartment segment, but will not use a tower crane. Mobiles will be used which will take longer, but other issues may have dictated this.:cheers:

There is a very large mobile working on the rear section of the development - it has been there some weeks now and I guess the hire fees must be fairly high. Good though to see that the development is continuing despite the accident.

Lunchtime today

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9905/p1010841sba.jpg

Is this the Hotel or the apartments? Does anyone know what the status of phase two of the apartments on this site? When will the hotel and phase two apartments be finished?

Is this the Hotel or the apartments? Does anyone know what the status of phase two of the apartments on this site? When will the hotel and phase two apartments be finished?


The photo shows the 'Hampton by Hilton' Hotel.

Work seems to be going well on this development. The part closest to Wapping has now had a fair amount of cladding put on. There is more cladding on the elevation facing the Police HQ (roughly), than I thought there would be, and rather less red brick (although you could see that emerging from behind the scaffolding). The cladding is like a dark smoked glass, with fairly large windows. Aside from that the rest of the development is also going well, with the other parts now all seemingly at least 3-4 storeys above ground.

I noticed that dark glass too. It is amazing how much better it looks than the dreaded grey or green. haven't been past for a few weeks now though.

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8789/p1000816v.jpg (http://img402.imageshack.us/i/p1000816v.jpg/)


http://img37.imageshack.us/img37/55/p1000818i.jpg (http://img37.imageshack.us/i/p1000818i.jpg/)


A pity this development will overlook an un-finished building site for years to come.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2316/p1000821f.jpg (http://img4.imageshack.us/i/p1000821f.jpg/)

^^Hmmm.. this has the makings of what could be one of my least fav new buildings... (the Kings Dock carpark wrap around looks classy in comparison!!) and whilst i know artist impressions are often anything like the finished product.....im struggling to see any liking to the posting on page 1 of this thread which it is supposed to resemble! Did the scheme get altered?

well it looks a lot better than the renders

I think its difficult to to judge with all that scaffolding and plastic sheeting, we need to wait till that comes down.

^^Hmmm.. this has the makings of what could be one of my least fav new buildings... (the Kings Dock carpark wrap around looks classy in comparison!!) and whilst i know artist impressions are often anything like the finished product.....im struggling to see any liking to the posting on page 1 of this thread which it is supposed to resemble! Did the scheme get altered?

I think that glazed cladding looks really good. However, I agree that the building doesn't bear much relationship to the render. Having said that, we are looking at the north facing side of the building where you would expect to see more glazing.

Its a flat square 1960s/70s style glazed box with no detail...the building next to it looks fantastic in comparison...i shall however reserve judgement until finished

Its a flat square 1960s/70s style glazed box with no detail...the building next to it looks fantastic in comparison...i shall however reserve judgement until finished

Just had a closer look at Doug's photo and it is apparent that the area of the cladding that we can't see is brick. So I agree with you - lets wait until it is finished (same goes for the car park wrap-around blocks - but I am less optimistic about them).

Also, it's important to remember that these facades will essentially be side street facades - when the rest of the area is built up they won't be so conspicuous.

The official website for the hotel part of this development is now up here - http://hamptoninn.hilton.co.uk/HiWayWeb/appmanager/portals/hotel?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=hotel_home_summary&ctyhocn=LPLLCHX

The site suggests an April opening. Let's hope that means April, and not that other April that the Liverpool ONE Hilton opened in cough...November...cough.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/518/p1000842t.jpg


http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/5381/p1000851u.jpg


http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9853/p1000852.jpg


http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/9177/p1000853j.jpg

Really strange building that. Still, big enough and the other elements of the scheme look more interesting. We shall see.

Doug, you have been busy, Cheers for the photo's, I guess you got warm in our adjacent SSC office ?

I am not a fan of big boxy /brick buildings ,but this looks OK next to the apartment block.

Great photo's Doug. Hope your camera didn't freeze up.

Thanks Doug. I like it.

It was surprisingly difficult to get any good angles on this one to do justice to the amount of activity going on on what appeared a smallish plot.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9449/p1020558i.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/379/p1020557ve.jpg

Some more

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5869/p1020559z.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/115/p1020560t.jpg

http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/8523/p1020561p.jpg

Such a strange development. It's made to look like an extension on top of an old building. Bizarre.

These two pics give a good idea of the progress so far...

It was surprisingly difficult to get any good angles on this one to do justice to the amount of activity going on on what appeared a smallish plot.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9449/p1020558i.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/379/p1020557ve.jpg


...and going by the renders, the second block should be a couple of floors higher than the block behind the Baltic Fleet:

http://www.gocestateagents.com/Kings%20Dock%20Mill/banner.jpg

http://www.gocestateagents.com/Kings%20Dock%20Mill/banner2.jpg

It's changed a fair bit from the render actually, hasn't it?

It's changed a fair bit from the render actually, hasn't it?

Your right, it's been changed, - cant find an updated image on the web.

The architect-developer LAG Prichard's website is still under construction: http://www.lagp.co.uk/ - so no news from there.

Anyway, here's a larger image of the old design for what it's worth:


http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/10528_1_Kings1.jpg

I much prefer the original. I've got a horrible feeling the planning officers fannied about with it.

Hmm, it seems to have metamorphosised from dubiously referencing the warehouse/factory archetype, to disgustingly referencing the retail/office park archetype. Has a sort of "'architects' poundland" vibe to it.

One can only reference http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=29044230&postcount=32 and get depressed on several levels.

Such a strange development. It's made to look like an extension on top of an old building. Bizarre.

that is exactly what all those 'extensions' are supposed to do. There is a corniceline that the planners like, about a warehouse height. The reality of needing more massing has led them to this mad idea that they keep the corniceline, with the rest being done like you see all over downtown, except they are supposed to be 'invisible'!


lunatics!

Look at the ground floors of all of these buildings. Inclusing the Ship shaped apartment block and Chandlers Wharf. Where are the retail units? There is no infrastructure in place for future servcie provision such as shops, opticians, doctors, call in centres, creche's etc for when the population move in to all of these apartments. As we all know these streets will be dead. The planners should be encouraging active frontages to all streets surrounding these developments.

It wouldn't matter too much if there were a local 'high street' or a parade of shops that had a range of shops for local residents. I'm glad to see this area built up again but I just wish that the prevailing retail offer wasn't food, booze and Tescos! On the other hand nobody wants to own/work in a small shop anymore ...

Such a strange development. It's made to look like an extension on top of an old building. Bizarre.

Not bizarre at all, that has been the vernacular for a decade, as pointed out on SSC, this building follows a well trodden path in being designed with the false impression of a later "addition" at the top. Tony says the same, it's a planning-induced oddness that has affected very many developments, not just in Liverpool, in the past decade. I don't happen to favour the fashion, but to pick on this building when the style is virtually ubiquituous is a bit unfair.

I like this one - it's unpretentious, properly proportioned, and massed sufficiently to bulk up the city in a place where it really needed bulking up. The brick works, and will endure, in a way that more faddish cladding would not. It is symetrical, which is a bit novel, and to my mind refreshing from the slavishly random window openings we see on, say, the second City Lofts development. It may not look the same as the renders, it certainly doesn't look like money has been needlessly lavished on it, but it's handsome, contemporary, and in some senses good for its period. Personally I think it looks better than the renders, and makes a very welcome addition to the edge-of-centre. Bizarre it aint.

I agree. This building represents a serious attempt to expand the city centre with an appropriately sized and dense development, and considering the light industrial shite it is replacing, I don't see what the problem is. It is a harmless, inoffensive building and not bad at all considering it is for a non-luxury hotel on the fringe of a city centre.

I think the city's planners are to be commended for encouraging the city to bulk out. And I think the Council as a whole is to be commended for turning Liverpool into a place that is taken seriously when it comes to private investment. How many other cities in this country right now are seeing the expansion of their city centres and the development of large new buildings?

Liverpool has come a long, long way in the last few years and it's great to see.

Lads are still working , brave souls it was bitter down there on Saturday......

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpool%202010/WaterfrontVisit13feb10022.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpool%202010/WaterfrontVisit13feb10027.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpool%202010/WaterfrontVisit13feb10035.jpg

We need Neptune to start on the L1 site ASAP, its an eyesore.:ohno:

I think were looking at 18 months before we see progress on L1, but I am hopeful that Neptune will deliver.

Lads are still working , brave souls it was bitter down there on Saturday......

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpool%202010/WaterfrontVisit13feb10022.jpg

We need Neptune to start on the L1 site ASAP, its an eyesore.:ohno:

The more I look at this building the less I like it. For a start it's such an inelegant building. The proposions and dimensions are too short and squat, there's no grace to it. It looks like it's come straight from a continental business park.

This view especially demonstrates why this had to be a good design. With the historic and intricate Baltic Fleet in the foreground and the magnificent Anglican Cathedral in the background this building looks even worse for it's proximity to both. It's as if the developers literally chose and identikit package off a shelf and simply dropped it onto the site with no forethought or awareness of the surrounding.

Hopefully the L1 development will mitigate some of the visual impact, but sadly the damage has already been done. This was one of my favorite views from this bridge, and although I wanted to see something developed on this site, I hoped for, and expected, something better than this. :ohno:

I'm not really a fan either. It looks like it has been designed by an engineer, rather than an architect. Still, it will be hidden soon enough by whatever Neptune come up with.

Saying that, it's not without it's fans. Design Man likes it I think and I'm sure others will too.

It's a 7/10 job for me with appropriate massing for the area which is key. Also the form and function is significantly better than what was there previously so it's a thumbs up from me as well.

http://web.onetel.net.uk/~howardpaterson/uploads/smIMG_0017.jpg

http://web.onetel.net.uk/~howardpaterson/uploads/smIMG_0015.jpg

It was surprisingly difficult to get any good angles on this one to do justice to the amount of activity going on on what appeared a smallish plot.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/9449/p1020558i.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/379/p1020557ve.jpg

By no means awful but doesn`t the Batic fleet look better? :cheers:

These bulidings are by no means great but what I like about them is that they are giving the city a contemporary feel. This makes Liverpool feel as though there is a buzz about the place now, and not in some dim and distant past when everything was better, as those whom believed in the managed decline of the city thought.

Progress as of today

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4856/p1020599.jpg

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/2137/p1020600r.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/6995/p1020604e.jpg

Not much obvious progress but this is from this morning. If nothing else it shows the need to get the former L1 site moving again.

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/4840/p1020624u.jpg

http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3160/p1020625t.jpg

cheers for the pics.

looks much better in person, its a nice developement, good density and works well in its location

looks much better in person, its a nice developement, good density and works well in its location

I must admit to being dubious about a " Box of Red Bricks", but having had a look at close quarters, I like it (just):nuts:..........

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpool%202010/SeftonPark21-3-2010024.jpg

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc242/woody43/liverpool%202010/SeftonPark21-3-2010026.jpg

Will the manky mortar work fade over time? At the moment it looks cheap. The building looks better in the flesh, but screams "I was designed by an engineer, not an architect".

Will the manky mortar work fade over time? At the moment it looks cheap. The building looks better in the flesh, but screams "I was designed by an engineer, not an architect".


BB, the staining is called effervescence, and is salt drawn out of a wet brick, it should fade in time, rain will do the job. Most of our great warehouses were designed by "engineers", the mass and square lines of this development is not to dissimilar.

Cheers for that. I haven't got anything against engineers. I haven't got anything against brain surgeons either, but i don't want them flying airplanes. :)

BB, the staining is called effervescence, and is salt drawn out of a wet brick, it should fade in time, rain will do the job. Most of our great warehouses were designed by "engineers", the mass and square lines of this development is not to dissimilar.

Its a tongue twister, efflorescence, rather than effervescence, which is gas escaping from liquid, eg fizzy pop. btw nice pics cheers for the update :cheers:

It looks like the opening has slipped from April, and 13th May is now the opening day.

http://hamptoninn.hilton.co.uk/HiWayWeb/appmanager/portals/hotel?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=hotel_home_summary&ctyhocn=LPLLCHX

Today

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/6301/p1020664u.jpg

I still can't decide whether I like this building or not, but the progress looks good.

One thing I don't think I like though is the hotel signage on a metal support on the roof. I know the design of the uppermost floors leaves little room for signage to be attached directly to the building, but I don't think I like the somewhat crude solution on the roof.

i quite like it, its a bit like the sign on the roof at the end of Highlander! hehe!

The building is a 6/10 to 8/10.

It is not a OPW / Mann Island / King Edward which are Marmite jobs which polarise opinions.

It's influenced by the Duff Brewery, surely?

Baltic Fleet?

Or is that the (old) duffers brewery? :cheers:

Well, Woody seems quite fond of the place... :)

It looks like they must've pulled some time back, and the new Hilton has now opened ahead of the previously reported date of 13th May -

Hotel giant opens second Hampton by Hilton in Liverpool

Apr 21 2010 by Neil Hodgson, Liverpool Daily Post

HOTEL operator Hampton by Hilton has opened a second Liverpool site, complementing its Liverpool John Lennon Airport development.

The new multi-million pound 151-room hotel on Hurst Street, within the Baltic Triangle area, is owned and operated by Stratford-upon-Avon group Somerston Hotels.

Located just minutes from the Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre, the Albert Dock and the Beatles Story, the “upper three-star” development offers conference facilities for up to 30 delegates, and has created 17 jobs, as well as 16 more housekeeping roles for external contractors.

Article continues here - http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2010/04/21/hotel-giant-opens-second-hampton-by-hilton-in-liverpool-92534-26284123/

Good news about the Hampton. Although I'm not sure what 'upper three stars' is... surely that's 4 star? :nuts:

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/8182/p1000760y.jpg

What's not to like? I can't understand the upset about this one. I also like the sign on it. (Took quite a few photos of this and in nearly all of them the brick work goes funny, sort of blurry....anyone else had that problem?)

^^

Sure you hadn´t been in the Baltic Fleet for a few?

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/2895/hamptonhilton12.jpg


http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/7748/hamptonhilton13.jpg


The new concrete structure in the centre of this pic makes quite an impact from the Strand.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8963/hamptonhilton14.jpg

Thanks for the photos Doug. :cheers:

I like the mass this development is bringing to the area, returning it to what it used to be, and away from the industrial sheds that represent extremely poor use of the land. I look forward to seeing Phases 2 & 3 doing the same in due course.

^^

Agreed. Thanks for the pics Doug. It´ll take time (it always does) but I think in 10 years, that area will be unrecognisable.

Ain't going to win many prizes but we knew that already. What it has done is add density to what was previously fairly low level industrial land and what it will hopefully achieve is to add vibrancy and vitality to the area and kickstart other investment, ideally starting with Neptune getting on site next door.

http://a.imageshack.us/img341/2599/p1020809i.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img836/2065/p1020810.jpg

Thanks for the update Joe. Not bad, apart from the lump on the top. Roll on phase 2!

Nice density. Its still better than a lot of serious tat that is being built in other British cities.

What are the other phases to this development? Also, do Nepture own the adj site?

^^

Phases 2 & 3 of this development will include a new youth hostel, a hotel, and apartments amongst a couple of other things, to be built on the site across Tabley Street from Phase 1, and on the site of the current Youth Hostel.

Plans and other information can be found in this thread - http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1114303

As for Neptune, last we heard, they were working with the administrators of the company formerly responsible for the now long-term mothballed L1 site adjacent, to work up plans, but I don't think anything has been announced since.

This one's growing on me.

http://a.imageshack.us/img26/3130/p1020820p.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img163/388/p1020815.jpg

http://a.imageshack.us/img823/1200/p1020816f.jpg

Good pics Joe. Agree, it's turning out better than the renders.

Agreed.

But if we're going to knock out red brick howzzzabout a bit more of this instead of featureless facade? If you look closely at Joe's pics there's almost a baby step in this direction.

http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab353/Babaloo5/P-building3.jpg

Update from this morning

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/6997/p1020845o.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3872/p1020846i.jpg

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/4631/p1020847.jpg

Great pics. Thanks a lot.

Btw are those drainpipes for real?

Drainies are back, Pc, haven't you noticed?

I'm too fukn fat this time round tho. Marks's have straight-legged jeans in my size with elasticated waists. I'm there.

Drainies are back, Pc, haven't you noticed?

I'm too fukn fat this time round tho. Marks's have straight-legged jeans in my size with elasticated waists. I'm there.

Snot bubble arf.

Apart from that I like the development and the scale and mass it is encouraging for the district. Looking at the streets, the mix of use, the density, it's easy to see how this may become a vibrant district over time.

Are there any family homes planned?

One of my fav schemes built in the city for a while. Great massing and fits in nicely with its environment! What was on the site before these buildings?

What was on the site before these buildings?

Part of it was vacant, the other part had industrial sheds on it - http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=swztzpgrj1zf&scene=29160857&lvl=2&sty=b

Part of it was vacant, the other part had industrial sheds on it - http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=swztzpgrj1zf&scene=29160857&lvl=2&sty=b

Thanks for that.

Update from this morning

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/6997/p1020845o.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/3872/p1020846i.jpg

http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/4631/p1020847.jpg

Brick-haters should take a good look at this building, which I am coming to think is a pretty good piece of architecture. The architects have been bold enough to confine their materials palette to basically brick and glass. The result stands out among recent apartment buildings in Liverpool, Manchester and elsewhere which use brick alongside other bits and bobs like render or zinc sheeting. The latter approach, while good for making connections with a bricky context, doesn’t really exploit the potential of the material, using it purely as panels. Here I think it is exploited well. Not only is there some use of brick’s potential for decorative detail, in the different bond that is used to mark the floor levels, but the Lego-like theme is carried on into the overall form of the building, particularly the deep-set balconies and the bold projections at the upper levels, a bit like the saw-tooth profiles you used to see on factories. It’s a reminder that brick has an industrial character, well suited to this area, as well as a domestic one, and this design nicely combines them (the latter showing up in the clearly differentiated ‘townhouse’ elements).

I think it bears some comparison, though it’s not quite in the same league, with other recent excellent brick buildings the Design Academy and the Bluecoat: the design hasn’t just thrown bricks onto a building but has really used them. I look forward to seeing the same principles continued (by the same architects) in phase 2.

I do think it looks better than I first thought and certainly better than the horrid Hampton. However, the building is still not great on the eye. The interesting roofline is good though and I hope the nasty, cheap looking white staining on the mortar fades. I keep being reassured by people that this does fade, so fingers crossed.

As to the wider scheme, I am encouraged by the fact they got this scheme up and running in the throes of a recession. Hopefully this means they will be even more capable of developing phase 2 during a recovery, where credit should be, marginally at least, more readily available.

Pretty much finished now. Shame about the National Grid in front of it.

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3392/p1020888o.jpg

http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/4369/p1020889.jpg

I'm liking this one more and more, even if for some reason some of the lines remind me of certain houses in the Queens Rd and Radcliffe estates! It's substantial enough, that's for sure.

Is the next phase to start immediately or what?

^^

Nope. It hasn't come before the planners yet.

Thanks Chris.

I think this developement has really made the other building around look so much better, even more so than others. It seems to be in an influential location. Let's hope it energises some developers.

Forgot about this thread: Kings Dock Mill Phases 2 & 3 | Hurst Street | Mixed Use (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1114303)

This development makes a pretty significant impression on the Baltic Triangle skyline.

From St James Street

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5564/p1030022tr.jpg

Like this its big and bulky just what you need in a city centre just hope L1 starts up now.

I just find the square window's on the facade awful, but apart from that I agree it has a solidity needed in the docks. Now build some Portland stone buildings.

It's just a pity about the councilesque ground floor. Couldn't somebody have come up with something more imaginative and useful?

Maybe the council should concentrate more on this type of area than making developers do petty adjustments, to make new stuff look like it's got old stuff.

Such an insane waste of time and energy.

I think the completed building looks just as bad as the render. The massing is right but it's still a dogs dinner of the worst architectural clichés.

It's almost as though people have been conditioned not to expect anything better than this, and subsequently go on to applaud mediocracy.

Those brick topped blocks look terrible. Its like a garage on the roof.

The black topped ones look far better, though still only mediocre.

I actually think the brick topped bits are the best part, particularly the sloping parts. I hate the black topped bits. They are so ill fitted in terms of size and placement.

The right hand sections in Joe's photo look like they have been designed. The left hand side looks like someone who's crap at tetris has been let into the project.