Kings Dock building work racing ahead

Oct 13 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

Aerial of area around Kings Dock

THE latest aerial images of Kings Waterfront show how development is spreading across the 14-hectare site and a new mixed-use destination is rapidly taking shape.

Clearly visible for the first time are the new pavilion leisure development, designed by double Sterling Prize-winning architects Wilkinson Eyre, and the Dukes Dock Bridge, which reached practical completion at the end of September.

The exterior shell of ACC Liverpool, which includes the Liverpool Echo Arena, is almost complete, and work is well advanced on the Jurys Inn and Staybridge Suites hotels and Artisan’s residential scheme, which wraps around two sides of the fully operational multi-storey car park.

Liverpool Vision chief executive Jim Gill, said: “The image shows just how quickly the new Kings Waterfront is beginning to emerge, and reveals the extent of future development opportunities.

“The southern part of the site is still undeveloped but that will begin to change in the coming months. David McLean and City Lofts will begin construction of their Waterfront residential development and we expect to put the first commercial development opportunity to the market before the end of 2007.”

Eliot Lewis-Ward, English Partnerships’ area director, said: “The photo clearly illustrates for the first time the huge and impressive scale of first-class development that is being successfully delivered on this strategic site.

“The reshaping of the waterfront is a key component in the future success and prosperity of the city.”

Council leader Warren Bradley was also keen to praise progress at Kings.

“For too long we have failed to make the most of both Kings Waterfront and our riverfront in general. But these pictures show just how far advanced are our plans to create a world-class waterfront which can be enjoyed by the whole community and which will further build confidence in the city and prosperity for Liverpudlians.”

Joe Edge, of the Albert Dock Company added: “The Albert Dock has been the centre of activity at the waterfront in the past and we are looking forward to playing an integral part in its future alongside our new neighbours.Š

“The Waterfront Connections programme has enabled Albert Dock to upgrade some of its infrastructure including toilets and signage to lead to a better customer offer for all in 2008.”

The partnership at Kings is made up of Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, national regeneration agency English Partnerships, the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Objective 1 programme.

alanweston