Pier Head
Liverpool's waterfront, with its internationally famous skyline punctuated by the Royal Liver Building, Cunard Building and Customs House (the Three Graces) falls within the city's World Heritage Site. The Pier Head area is undergoing a massive regeneration, with investment taking place on a grand scale.
Liverpool Cruise Liner Facility
The £19million cruise liner facility opened in September 2007. Now, the biggest liners in the world can practically sail into the City Centre, putting Liverpool on a par with New York, Hong Kong, Sydney and Singapore. The terminal is seen as a major economic boost for the region thanks to the spending potential of liner passengers who can more easily disembark to enjoy the delights which Liverpool and Merseyside has to offer. Thirteen vessels carrying over 16,000 passengers came to the city in 2008, whilst 15 cruise liners with more than 23,000 passengers are expected by the end of 2009, generating in excess of £1.6m to the city's economy
The facility has been developed as a stop-over point only; there have been calls for it to be upgraded into a terminal where cruiseliners can begin and end their cruises - but this was not permitted by the rules governing how the scheme was funded.
Refurbishment at the Three Graces
Owners Downing Developments refurbished the Port of Liverpool Building, one of the famous Three Graces at the Pier Head during 2008 at a cost of £20million. The building is also one of the many key city buildings now illuminated at night as part of the City of Light programme to enhance the experience of visiting the city during the evenings.
A £5million office refurbishment programme is currently underway at the Royal Liver Building during 2009.
Leeds Liverpool Canal & Public Realm Works
British Waterways have invested £18.5million in extending the Leeds-Liverpool Canal via Princes Dock and the Pier Head to link up with the Albert Dock. The canal, completed in February 2009, will pass underneath the new £65million Museum of Liverpool Life which is also currently being constructed over it.
The £5million public realm works, also completed in early 2009, were delivered by Liverpool City Council working in partnership with British Waterways as part of the Liverpool Canal Link project and the City Centre Movement Strategy. The scheme included the creation of sheltered seating areas around the two open canal basins and a central lawn in front of the Cunard Building. A central space at the north of the site is now available as an events space, whilst the riverside walkway has been retained. The project includes new tree planting to recreate the Canada Boulevard, generous amounts of seating and an innovative lighting scheme. Funding came from the North West Development Agency and ERDF via the Merseyside Objective One programme.
The scheme won the NW Institute of Highways & Transportation "Transport Project of the Year" award in 2009, and also won the waterways category in the national Street Design awards
New Ferry Terminal
Merseytravel have completed a new £10.5million ferry terminal on the site of the former 1960s ferry terminal building and Shanghai Palace Chinese restaurant. The building has been designed in a simple, low rise design that will not compromise important views within the Pier Head area. It was one of the last major schemes on Merseyside to be awarded Objective 1 funding from the European Union. The new terminal includes facilities for passengers using the Mersey Ferries, a new visitor attraction and an external deck facing the Three Graces.
Museum of Liverpool
The £65million Museum of Liverpool will be the anchor new visitor attraction at the Pier Head area. Expected to attract up to 750,000 visitors, it is currently being constructed on a key waterfront position overlooked by the Three Graces. The 12,000 square metre museum building will be an iconic development and a major addition to the cultural assets of Liverpool City Centre and the wider region. The museum, which will open in 2010, will be unique in its interpretative approach and commitment to regular change in its key exhibits. It will also provide a flexible venue to bring world-class touring exhibitions to the North West.
Mann Island
Neptune Developments are transforming the southern end of the Pier Head area with a £120million scheme which comprises public areas, cafes and restaurants, shops, exhibition space, 376 apartments and 140,000 square feet of commercial office space. Merseytravel will be one of the major office occupiers.
The buildings will be finished in black granite using designs by award-winning architects Broadway Malyan. Completion will be phased, with the apartment blocks being completed in 2010/11, with the office element finishing in 2011/12.
Further public realm works will be delivered around the canal basin at Mann Island to create a sheltered seating space and a plaza for outdoor seating associated with adjacent cafes and restaurants. These works will be delivered by Neptune Developments and Countryside Properties with funding from North West Development Agency and are due for completion in 2011/2.
