Two more ‘building blocks’ complete as part of Liverpool One development

May 2 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Two more ‘building blocks’ complete as part of Liverpool One development

TWO more buildings at the heart of the Liverpool One complex marked their completion with a topping- out ceremony yesterday.

Site 1, the building along Peter’s Lane, and site 7 at the corner of School Lane and Paradise Street, will now begin to be fitted out.

Together they comprise the frame for 32 shops, 45 apartments and two office buildings, and are the renovation of County Palatine, Compton House and the Russell Building.

A covered roof is taking shape over Peter’s Lane.

Keith Bold, head of building control at Liverpool City Council, was invited to perform the topping-out in front of invited guests.

A sprig of yew was placed in the cement as a hark back to an ancient Scandinavian ritual to bring good fortune to the building.

Project manager Mike Nisbet said: “This is another building block in the whole development and we are very close to the end now.

“There is a light at the end of the tunnel that means the structure is finished.

“People are starting to understand now how it all fits together and creates the city centre.

“It is a real credit to the team and the vast number of people that have been involved to get to this stage.”

Some 1,500 people are currently working on site. The first phase of Liverpool One, including the flagship Debenhams and John Lewis stores, opens on May 29. It will open fully on September 30.