A decade after plans for Liverpool One began, Vicky Anderson reports on its unique architectural achievement
THE masterplan of the Liverpool One project is among the contenders for the biggest award in architecture – the RIBA Stirling Prize.
The winner will be announced this weekend in a televised ceremony.
The fact it has made it to the final six places is a unique achievement in itself, as it is thought to be the first time a masterplan, as opposed to a completed building, has made it to the shortlist.
And it’s a timely nomination, as those behind the project mark 10 years since the ball began rolling on the massive city centre regeneration scheme.
It was 10 years ago this August that Liverpool City Council launched the brief for what was then known as the Paradise Street Development Area.
Out of dozens of national and international developers, the Grosvenor team won the bid and took on architects BDP to devise the master plan.
The city-based practice split the 42-acre site into five distinct “character areas” and set about appointing dozens of other architects’ firms to work on separate segments of the project.
These ranged from local companies – city-based Studio Three are the practice behind what is known as the “origami building” to the side of the Palm Sugar Lounge, in Chavasse Park – to internationally renowned architects, such as Argentinian Cesar Pelli, who designed One Park West and has worked on some of the tallest buildings in the world.
Work on site began in 2004 and continued to the deadline of a grand opening in 2008.
Leading the project for BDP was director Terry Davenport, who said that making the Stirling Prize shortlist was the “icing on the cake” of a phenomenal undertaking.
“It is quite unusual for a masterplan to be considered, and almost unique to be considered in the final six,” he said.
“It was a very complex process across several years of activity, but, having been born and bred in the city, and knowing the impact it was going to have, has been exciting.
“Overall, personally, I’m very happy with the impact of what’s been created. Without a shadow of a doubt, this project can be seen as a benchmark for retail-led regeneration – not just in the UK, but Europe and farther afield as we go forward into the next decade. Other cities are now looking to catch up with Liverpool, instead of vice versa. We need to maintain that vision and that momentum.”
To coincide with the countdown to the judges’ decision, BDP has announced details of a book and exhibition on the project. The limited edition book, Liverpool, Regeneration of a City Centre will be available through RIBA bookshops, and the exhibition, ten+10, will be on display at RIBA’s Milk & Sugar gallery on Wood Street, from tomorrow until October 27.
Both will feature a selection of early drawings, plans and photographs of the Liverpool One project. Mr Davenport added: “To win the regional RIBA award was a great privilege, and then to make the final six was a wonderful surprise. To win it would be absolutely wonderful, and a huge statement of credit to the project, the team and the city.”
