Work to start on £27m City Centre residential project
Work has begun on an ambitious £27m project to bring three old buildings in Liverpool city centre back into use.
Trafford-headquartered Russells Construction is undertaking the 120,000 sq ft Vita Student accommodation scheme in Crosshall Street in three phases – The Chapel, Tinlings and Crosshalls.
The contractor has been removing internal structures and preparing for construction to begin this month.
All three buildings – the grade II-listed Chapel, 1878 Crosshalls and 1960s Tinlings – had been vacant for several years prior to Vita Student's acquisition.
A total of 357 student flats will be developed over the next two years.
Vita Student is a property brand founded by Chris Oakes, of Alderley Edge-based luxury residential developer Huntsmere, and Mark Stott, of Wilmslow-based property investment company Select Property.
Andrew Russell, managing director of Russells Construction, said: "Although two of the buildings have architecturally important heritage facades, the internal structure and layout of The Chapel and Crosshalls are no longer fit for purpose.
"A demolition and internal rebuild provides the best solution for protecting their facade and enhancing the street scene, while also making best use of space to create a modern, comfortable interior for residents.
"Tinlings is from a different era but its original design will be echoed in the new glass and aluminium curtain walling, and a two-storey upward extension will provide additional space."
Phase one of the project will see The Chapel ready by September 2013 with Tinlings due to be finished by the end of this year and Crosshalls completed in September 2014.
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