THE winning plan to transform Everton Park into a tourist destination to rival Barcelona’s Parc Guell was announced today.

Liverpool architect Broadway Malyan’s design for the park’s proposed Destination Hub beat off stiff competition from four other leading Liverpool-based architect – Austin Smith Lord, Cass Associates, FVMA and Studio Three – following public consultation and an expert technical assessment.

Broadway Malyan’s design, which includes an information centre, event and gallery space and café, was deemed to make best use of the park’s unrivalled panoramic views of the city and the River Mersey.

Broadway Maylan’s director Matt Brook said: “This was an exciting project for us to work on and people clearly responded to the way we made use of the existing environment, especially the staggering views.We explored the notion of ‘reveal’ by combining the landscape with a linear east to west-facing building so the full panorama is concealed.

“It is only revealed once the visitor reaches the tip of the building, maximising the impact of the vista and enhancing the visitor experience.”

“We are delighted that we now have the chance to become part of the park’s rich heritage and we look forward to working with Liverpool Vision and the Friends of Everton Park on the next steps to realise the potential of one of the city’s best assets.”

The Everton Park Destination Hub is one of many initiatives taking place in the park, including a heritage trail and landscape proposals from international artist Fritz Haeg and renowned landscape architect James Corner, which have been presented as part of Liverpool’s Biennial.

Liverpool Vision chief executive Max Steinberg said: “This is a major milestone on Everton Park’s journey and the design will act as a spur to approaching funding bodies to help us start the project later this year.” “The high standard of each entry has reflected the significant role the Park has both for the locality and the city as a whole.“It was a close-run competition but Broadway Malyan’s stunning and innovative approach fit most perfectly with our ambition to make Everton Park a major tourist destination and a great community asset.”

The consultation event in February was attended by more than 120 residents and interested parties and provided an opportunity to offer their thoughts and debate the merits of the five very different depictions of the park’s future visitor experience.

Paul Edwards, chairman of the Friends of Everton Park, said: We are working hard to craft a more exciting future for the park, which has been underused in the past.“We are drawing inspiration from the atmosphere and function which Barcelona’s Parc Guell offers visitors and this development is another step forward in us meeting that ambition.”

The project will start later this year.

“There is still much work to do. We are continuing to work through all the feedback and adapt the plans accordingly, but this design gives us a much clearer selling point when we approach funding partners.”

When finalised, Broadway Malyan’s design will now be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund for assessment.