Arena and Convention Centre Construction Gallery
The Kings Waterfront development occupies the site of the old Kings Dock, which was closed along with the other South Docks in 1972.
The site is just south of the restored Albert Dock warehouses and, with Dukes Dock to the north, Wapping Dock to the east, Queens Dock to the south and the River Mersey to the west, it is completely surrounded by water.
Several developments have been proposed for this site, of which one of the best known was the Everton Stadium, promoted by Everton Football Club and Houston Securities and chosen by the public following an exhibition of five developments. The stadium, would not only serve as a football ground but, by means of a sliding pitch, retractable roof and mobile walls would transform into a concert arena or conference hall.
The Everton scheme failed when the football club failed to come up with the money and left Liverpool with the prospect of a derelict site for its Capital of Culture year in 2008.
The latest development was the creation of Liverpool Vision and consisted of a 9,500 seat arena, conference hall and exhibition space in a large riverside building designed by Wilkinson Eyre and topped with a 'gulls wing' shaped roof. The remainder of the site would be developed for hotels, car parks and a large number of apartments, including two 23 storey towers. The development was to be phased over several years with the 'civic facilities' constructed first.
30th. October 2004
A relic of a former attempt at regeneration. These green and blue arches proliferated over the site and, in this case, enclosed planters. The arches probably date from the International Garden Festival in 1984 which was held about a mile from the Kings Dock site.
12th. February 2005
A view of the site prior to construction work starting, showing some of the important elements, the Mersey waterfront to the left hand side, the Albert Dock in the distance and, to the right of the Albert Dock, the Royal Quay apartments built about five years previously and representing the first major development on the Kings Dock site. Part of the car park was used for the annual Summer Pops event, the last of which was held at Kings Dock in the summer of 2004.
The sculpture in the foreground belongs to the Custom and Excise headquarters that form the southern boundary of the site.
11th. August 2005
The start of infrastructure works on the site. These formed a separate contract and involved the installation of services such as drains and sewers and the laying out of roads to access the various developments.
Scouserdave
Scouserdave
Scouserdave
29th.August 2005
A temporary road alongside Wapping Dock constructed to allow road access through the site to the car parks at Dukes and Albert Docks.
6th. November 2005
The commencement of the main arena and convention centre contract meant the start of piling works.
Doug Roberts
Doug Roberts
14th. November 2005
This riverside panorama shows the scheme in its early stages with piling on the site of the arena and convention centre and a very large contractor's establishment at the south end.
13th. December 2005
Piling well underway in mid-December.
Renderings of the development on the extensive construction hoardings.
2nd January 2006
View of the ACC site from the VAT headquarters, showing the extensive heap of fill material that was to dominate the site for several months.
28th February 2006
Extensive foundation works underway. In the background the tower cranes erected to build the MSCP can be seen.
29th March 2006
Concrete structure emerging out of the ground.
20th April 2006
First steelwork to be erected for seating at the north end of the Arena.
2nd May 2006
The curved shape of the north end arena seating can now be seen.
13th. May 2006
View from the tower of the Anglican Cathedral showing steelwork now commenced at the south end of the Arena.
20th May 2006
Some roof support steelwork now being erected.
25th May 2006
The steel truss being erected here forms the largest single lift on the site.
28th May 2006
Installation of the roof truss is now almost complete but cranes are still providing support.
30th June 2006
With the main truss installed, extensive progress is soon made on the roof structure.
6th July 2006
View showing the precast concrete seating tiers now installed.
16th July 2007
The ACC now emerging as a landmark on the waterfront.
17th August 2006
Arena steelwork now substantially completed.
3rd September 2006
Less than two months on from the earlier waterfront view, the shape of the ACC can now be clearly seen.
9th October 2006
This view from the cathedral tower shows the roofing of the ACC substantially erected.
23rd October 2006
The space between the Arena steelwork (left) and the Convention Centre (right), is where the Galleria will be constructed.
8th November 2006
This general view shows some glazing bars now installed.
26th November 2006
First floor steelwork for the Galleria now being erected.
27th November 2006
This night view shows work in progress on the interior of the Arena.
16th December 2006
The first glazing being installed to the north end of the Arena.
24th January 2007
Glazing to the south end of the Convention Centre.
14th February 2007
Cladding rails being installed to the Convention Centre roof.
18th February 2006
A view from the river showing progress on cladding and glazing.
13th. March 2007
Glazing to the north end of the Arena almost completed.
9th April 2007
Another cathedral tower progress shot.
4th May 2007
View of the emerging ACC from the Albert Dock promenade.
8th June 2007
This view of the Arena north end shows clear and green glass glazing and roof cladding panels almost complete.
28th June 2007
River view of the Arena.
1st July 2007
Fitting cladding panels.
31st July 2007
Work progressing on the arched Galleria roof.
12th August 2007
Work progressing on the piazza between the Arena and the hotels.
21st August 2007
Cathedral view showing the ACC almost externally complete and work well advanced on the structure of the hotels.
Just one cladding panel to be installed in this view of the north end of the Arena.
25th August 2007
This view shows the effect of the glazing and cladding on the appearance of the ACC.
8th September 2007
Installation of the 'eyelid' over the west entrance of the Galleria.
27th September 2007
Glazing to the east end Galleria entrance.
06th October 2007
With the exception of the Galleria, the riverside elevation of the ACC is now complete.
22nd October 2007
Protective sheeting over the east Galleria entrance glazing.
24th October 2007
Work is now underway on paving the piazza.
22nd November 2007
Internal view of the Arena.
29th November 2007
The riverside terraces under construction.
4th December 2007
The glazed area beneath the Arena seating.
9th. December 2007
View of the piazza showing the newly completed restaurant building.
17th December 2007
The glazed east Galleria entrance with protective sheeting removed.
5th January 2008
Pictures from the Capital of Culture opening event.
12th January 2008
The piazza by daylight.
26th January 2008
The first of the wind turbines is now erected. The six to be installed are to supply 10% of the ACC power supply.
3rd February 2008
Exterior shot of the ACC at night.