Developers save Littlewoods building

Oct 24 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

THE future of one of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings, the one-time Littlewoods pools headquarters, was assured yesterday after planners approved a £65m redevelopment plan.

Award winning regeneration specialists Urban Splash won approval to convert the art-deco building in Edge Lane into apartments, offices, leisure facilities and a hotel.

John and Cecil Moores built the landmark headquarters, with its stunning clock tower, in 1933 as world headquarters of their newly established pools empire.

After the pools company pulled out, the building housed Littlewoods printing works until its closure some years ago.

The main west wing building with its tower and decorative book-ends will be retained.

Liverpool architects Shed KM have devised a scheme which will include a ground-floor car park and five floors of apartments built behind the famous facade.

Urban Splash director Bill Maynard said: “We have been trying to get this iconic building for 10 years so we were delighted when we were selected as preferred developers. It is a fabulous building with a great presence. We plan to build 276 apartments and 120,000 sq ft of offices as well as a 100-room hotel.

“We believe it will work very nicely with the new science park in Edge Lane. Our aim is to start work around next February with work taking between two and three years.”

Planning manager Nigel Lee said: “It is a fantastic building and I am delighted a new use has been found for it.”