SHEPHERD Construction has won a £20.4m contract to build phase three of Liverpool’s St Paul’s Square for English Cities Fund.
The company was involved in earlier phases of the extension to the city’s business district.
Work should start on the project – an eight-storey Grade A office block – next month, with an expected completion date of May, 2011.
Peter Millett, Shepherd’s West Division managing director, said: “We are delighted to be back at St Paul’s Square for the final phase of its development.
“This latest contract win underpins the collaboration Shepherd engages with its clients, as well as the quality delivery of our projects.”
The design for the new block includes a curtain wall façade.
Previous phases on the site included a 140,000sqft office block, apartment block, ground floor retail units and 397-space multi-storey car park.
The earlier phases won a Merseyside Transport Award, as well as receiving Performance Beyond Compliance certificates as part of the Considerate Constructors scheme.
The English Cities Fund (ECf) was created by the Government to enable higher levels of private investment in the regeneration of towns and cities.
The three partners in ECf are Muse Developments, Legal & General and Homes & Communities Agency.
Darran Lawless, Muse Development Manager, said: “St Paul’s Square is a magnificent 21st-century project in a prime location and will ensure that Liverpool continues to have a new-build pipeline.”
The latest phase is able to proceed after regeneration body, the Northwest Development Agency, confirmed an £8.8m grant towards the scheme, comprising £4.2m from the NWDA and £4.6m from the coffers of the European Regional Development Fund.
NWDA chief executive Steve Broomhead said: “Liverpool has a growing reputation as a vibrant business location, and in order to build on this it is vital that we invest in the provision of Grade A office space and supporting public realm.
“This project will not only stimulate confidence in the market, but will be an important piece in the jigsaw in securing Liverpool’s position as a prime business destination.”
