Architects queue up to transform radar tower

Dec 17 2007

ARCHITECTS from across the world want to transform a derelict Mersey radar tower into a major tourist attraction.

More than 90 designs for a new observatory in Seaforth were received from as far afield as America and Israel.

They have been whittled down to a shortlist of six, which will be announced tomorrow. The Mersey Basin Campaign is behind the competition to build the new landmark.

Backed by the Royal Institute of Architects in a multi-million-pound scheme, the radar tower would be knocked down and replaced with a 40- metre-high tourist attraction.

The crumbling tower is regarded as an eyesore by many people in the area, who have described it as a “deformed concrete mushroom”.

The new observatory would provide unrivalled views of Liverpool Bay and be the first sight to greet cruise-liner tourists heading to the new landing facility at Pier Head.

Campaign officials threw the gauntlet down to architects across the globe to design the observatory with a strict brief.

The design must create jobs, be loved by locals and be built using renewable energy sources so not to impact negatively on wildlife.

The project will cost an estimated £11.6m, with the possibility of additional work to include a new ferry pier, and is predicted to generate up to £1.8m for the local economy.

It is hoped it would attract up to 250,000 visitors a year.

A month-long exhibition of more detailed versions of the shortlisted designs will go on display in February.

Residents’ comments will be passed on to the judging panel so they can be used when the winning design is selected in March.

The competition is being backed by a strong partnership that includes the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Mersey Waterfront, the Mersey Basin Campaign and Peel Holdings – the owner of Liverpool Docks.