Liverpool is a key urban location in the UK, attracting workers, residents, and tourists alike to visit the city centre. Therefore, it stands to reason that the city would want to put its best foot forward, which can be seen in the new plans from the city’s council to revamp the area around Liverpool Central station.
Liverpool City Council have proposed a regeneration effort around the busy rail station, which is used by over 14.8 million passengers per year. The plans are designed to achieve ‘a radical transformation of the area’s profile’ via a Strategic Regeneration Framework.
The framework will be spearheaded by a core team, with architects Hawkins\Brown leading the charge, assisted by funding secured by Liverpool’s Mayor Steve Rotheram from the UK Government.
Partner and Head of Studio North at Hawkins\Brown, Katie Tokinson, states ‘we are delighted to have been appointed, alongside a world-class team of collaborators, to prepare the Liverpool Central Station Strategic Regeneration Framework. It is a fantastic opportunity to work with Liverpool City Council and partners to develop a creative, long-term vision for the city. We are truly excited to be embarking on this journey of discovery with stakeholders and the local communities.’
Tonkinson went on to highlight how their goal is to take ‘inspiration from around the world and raising world profile, whilst driving local aspiration and rooting our thinking in Liverpool.’ The team will be working closely with the Department for Transport on the 86-acre project, with a goal to ‘transform connectivity and drive regeneration.’ The Strategic Regeneration Framework is set to be developed over the next few months, including opportunities for public engagement as the conversations progress.
Such an ambitious infrastructure project means great things for architecture jobs in Liverpool and property jobs in Liverpool due to the commercial opportunities, and will also assist in stimulating the local economy during both the project’s construction and once completed as well.
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, highlights how ‘Liverpool Central is one of the busiest and most important transport gateways in the country – and the area around it should match the ambition of the city it serves.’ He states that the goal is to ‘make sure this becomes more than a transport upgrade – but a catalyst for wider regeneration, investment, and opportunity in the heart of the city.’
Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy at Liverpool City Council, Nick Small, echoes Rotheram’s sentiment, stating ‘Liverpool Central is one of the most important gateways into our city, used by millions of people every year. The Strategic Regeneration Framework provides an exciting opportunity to provide a strong and transformational vision for how the wider area around the station can evolve over time – supporting growth and improving the quality of place.’
Seeing so much investment put into Liverpool from not just the local council but the national government is super positive. It will be exciting to see this key area of the city centre transformed, ushering in a brand-new era for this significant transport space and providing strong property and architecture opportunities.