Liverpool’s Heritage V Liverpool Development
We all know how important our city’s World Heritage status is.
However, there is some concern that the status has the potential to have an adverse impact on Liverpool’s growth and future economic prosperity. Now I am not stating that we should NOT keep hold our beloved Heritage status with both hands, but I am stating that there is a very distinct cost and are we prepared to lose even more ground with Cities like Manchester because of our Heritage status, I have written this post to highlight the path that we are on, as we need to create a debate on this matter, you never know there may be an alternative route.
Here is an excerpt from a Liverpool Echo article in 2008;
“A ban on any Liverpool city centre building work at all over the next 18 months may be imposed by World Heritage bosses, council chiefs fear.
Confusing wording in a UNESCO document discussing stripping Liverpool of its World Heritage Site status has been interpreted by some council heritage experts as meaning there can be no development at all in the area
A meeting last month saw the Liverpool World Heritage Site Steering Group resolve to ask central government to intervene on the city’s behalf to check with world heritage bosses that this is not the case.
Liverpool council told the ECHO it was seeking clarification on the ban but for now it is ‘business as usual’ with planning applications being approved and building work continuing.
The confusion relates to wording in a report about a meeting in Germany at the end of June which saw global heritage bosses from UNESCO discuss plans to strip Liverpool of its World Heritage status because of the multi-billion pound Liverpool Waters skyscraper project.
A spokesman for Liverpool council said: “At its annual World Heritage Committee meeting in Bonn, UNESCO has said that there should be a moratorium on development until December 2016.
“Unfortunately it is unclear which parts of the World Heritage Site this ‘moratorium’ would relate to”
Liverpool’s Heritage V Liverpool Development
As people who follow Signature Living’s developments will know, I have become quite attached to our city’s extraordinary heritage over the last couple of years and I, like many other proud Scouser’s, will guard this amazing status that has been gifted to us by our forefathers, that have created many of our amazing structures and we will be forever indebted to them.
Yet there is a larger issue that lies beneath our UNESCO World Heritage status and that is a battle we are losing with our rival Manchester.
Manchester will one day be known as one of the best cities in the world and it is a much stronger economic powerhouse than Liverpool. Why? Because they have a much stronger development statement unlike Liverpool, they do not have a World Heritage status that forces their planning department to ask permission for the development of any building that dares to venture above our rooftops.
Manchester city centre has over 50 impressive skyscrapers that have now gained full planning, which is more than all the rest of the U.K put together with the exception of London.
Due to this, and the investment that they have gained from the Far East, the city now even has close ties with the President of China who has visited Manchester to underline their future partnership and agree future developments. This is unprecedented. If Liverpool were able to follow the same dynamic path, business in our city would be booming.”
In fact, Liverpool is even more appealing to overseas investment because of our geographical location and gateway to the Atlantic and dare I say we have so much more to shout about, they have a canal, we have the Mersey, they have Oasis we have the Beatles. They maybe slightly ahead on the football stakes, but then that is all they have and we have the Titanic.
It is true that Liverpool is thriving but we could do even better.
I should know – Signature Living is in the eye of the storm. We understand the parameters that we need to abide by to gain £300 million pounds worth of our funding requirements for 2016 and our task has been become greased due to property bargains that can be obtained when you put similar buildings from Liverpool alongside buildings of similar ilk in Manchester.
Manchester enjoyed a meteoric rise – from humble beginnings, as a minor Lancastrian township, into the pre-eminent industrial metropolis of the United Kingdom and the world.
As we all know timing is everything and we as a city are at a very profound crossroad. Do we abide by our UNESCO World Heritage status that does not allow us to build higher than our existing rooftops or do we develop this great city? We could create a new skyline which does not interfere with our beloved 3 Graces (which is something I strongly support) I believe that there should be no skyscrapers that dominate the skyline behind our Graces, this will allow our planners to find a way that allows us to sit at the same table as Manchester and you never know we may just be able to drink from the same cup. This will give the fluidity of much needed funds to hit our shores and thus create thousands of jobs and investment, even better we can restart our very successful tourism offer, to ensure the great work of Visit Liverpool can be reignited, I for one have basked in the glory through the success of Signature Living, with their great work but I am very mindful that this momentum will without any doubt slow down. This City has become a tourism destination in its own right and unless we become more entrepreneurial there is a possibility that it may diminish. Above all, sustainability and growth would allow Liverpool to achieve what our forefathers hoped that we would always achieve.
It seems to me that we have been thrown into the ring and we have to fend for ourselves. The issue here is that we have been placed in a heavy weight world title clash, with our hands firmly tied behind our back and we are taking blows, I should know I sit at the table with many funds who are looking to park their capital in our City, but we simply do not have the volume to appease them, unlike Manchester, but just imagine for a minute that we did have the planning permission to build these great buildings, we would actually beat Manchester, due to one simple factor we will be offering much better value. Manchester’s new build offer is at around £400 per foot and Liverpool has only just risen to £250. To give our figures some credence, our Shankly Hotel has been sold to our investors at just £200 per foot, our next on Old Hall Street will be at £250 per square foot.
In other words we are walking away from billions of pounds of potential investment and a huge economic boost. From Sydney to Singapore, Dubai to New York City, cities all over the world are deemed by the height of their skyscrapers. They symbolise wealth and prosperity and in-still confidence. Here in Liverpool, we are left with just a Beetham Tower, which cascades to 40 floors. Manchester’s tallest building hits 47 floors.
The issue here is are we prepared to stand by and accept that our amazing City can be dwarfed by our nearest rival, or can we gain a greater definition of what Unesco really want from our City, why are we allowing Unesco to sit in their ivory tower and pour scorn upon what we are trying to achieve here, what is wrong with bringing prosperity, jobs and people to our great City.
I do believe that with debate we can harmonise the desire of a city with the credibility of Heritage.
There is just one caveat that I feel that I must add to this post, if we are to build any new structure’s in our City, then we must ensure that we do not allow the developers any scope to plead poverty and due to this they put volume over design. All new developments must be of the highest standards and should serve our City as beacons to reflect what this City is built upon.
Whatever your view, is on the development of this City. Please share this post and leave your comments below.
#Liverpool #scouseandproud #liverpoolsheritage #liverpooljobs
Interesting post Laurence, and whilst we must protect what gives us a unique vibe, we can’t afford to become a museum. Indeed our history is one of constant renewal to service our merchant economy. If today was 1916 we’d think nothing of knocking the Liver Building down if it stood in the way of progress. So yes, protect our heritage but don’t use it as an excuse to do nothing, if that means losing UNESCO status then so be it.
Hi Sean, I do believe we should develop our city, to bring in the funds required to build on our economy, to do this we need a robust plan and ultimately a sound argument, which will help is keep our status if it is possible to keep.
Great article, Lawrence.
Has Shanghai Towers been signed and sealed? Wasn’t that going to be the big thing that helps Merseyside turn a corner?
Hi Rupen, yes it has been granted permission, but Peel are waiting on investment, before they start, so far they have not put a spade in the ground as yet
Great article as usual Lawrence,
Quick question, how do you see Liverpool collaborating with countries in south east asia (Singapore/Malaysia) to build a city for the future?
In someways we already do collaborate with the far East, most of Liverpool’s development’s have been funded by individuals from China and Singapore. Signature Living are looking to raise over £200 million pounds in the next year alone. Manchester have already secured a partnership with China, and we should look to do the same and I feel that Singapore is perfectly placed to create such a partnership with.
A brilliant article . I have longed believed that with new and modern buildings and a greater focus on tourism the city would rise again. We have to respect our past whilst not living in it. Like our forefathers who created the overhead railway and the magnificent docks and buildings we need to have that big vision.
Hi Tom, hats a great response, we should look to our forefathers who created this amazing City and we should be guided by UNESCO but not dictated to, all of the planets are aligned here and as we all know timing is everything.
How can we maintain both?????
I think overall Liverpool planners have done a reasonable job the cluster of tall buildings to the left of the pier head ( from the river ) look good and better than the random buildings in Manchester , also think we need to look beyond Manchester and not be fixated on them . It is important we keep the space behind the three pier head building clear as they are so symbolic and must be kept as a focus for the city . However this does not mean we can allow the cit to be preserved in aspic ….strongly support the tall building proposals on the peel site ,and beyond the Baltic triangle , also lime street . Whilst world heritage status worth trying to preserve ….it can’t be at all costs …..I prefer to think of Liverpool as the Barcelona of the U.K. ….!
Great article Lawrence. The city council also said that there would be a freeze on new housing being built in south Liverpool. The Members of Woolton Golf Club recently voted to sell the course and it’s associated buildings for housing. Looks like they’ll be going back on that pledge as well then. Good luck with your sympathetic development programme of our heritage buildings. We’ve already seen the proof of what you can achieve.
Why the fixation with Manchester? In former days Liverpool was known as the Athens, or the Florence of the North, and as the Chicago of the Old World. Liverpool has only ever really compared itself to global, not regional excellence. In footballing terms when European silverware was rolling in it was with the Italian, Spanish and German giants that we compared ourselves. Unless we’re competing for regionally allocated funding then surely to compete with Manchester is a bit beneath us. We are such utterly different cities. People locate to Manchester for industrial and financial reasons, and to Liverpool for aesthetic reasons. While there is little aesthetic value in industry and finance, there is much finance and industry in aesthetics. I know where I’d like to live; it’s where I do live, in the village at the centre of the universe. Liverpool.
Great stamens and ethos Nick. I think you hit the nail on the head. We shouldn’t keep comparing ourselves to Manchester. We are different cities with different pasts. We need to just be us and get on with it
I agree with you both, but I do not wish to emulate Manchester in anyway other than, creating buildings that will bring more people, create more council tax and above all help our City gain more jobs so that we can move away from depressing stats such as the U.k. has a 5% average as opposed to Liverpool’s 10% unemployed. The point is that the funds are available to create the above we just do not have the buildings to gain the funds.
Would Liverpool benefit from an Independent, business minded succeaful entrepreneur with a vision for the City and the region in general standing for Mayor?
Interesting thought…
I visited Shanghai in 1990 when there were no skyscrapers and again in 2011 when there were so many interesting and complimentary skyscrapers enveloping the Bund (the waterfront, designed by the same guy as our own). It’s so important to build a dynamic and vibrant city alongside the historic one. It would be very short-sighted of UNESCO if they don’t allow development in Liverpool … we can’t afford to be a museum piece. Most of the new buildings are totally complementary with the past Victorian ones and I love the glass buildings which mirror the beauty of the past. It’s the way to go. The renaissance of my home town must continue to ensure a glorious present as well as a past.
Can’t agree more to be fair. For decades we have been fighting for scraps whilst others have the meat on the bone, including Manchester.
Our heritage, history, landmarks that are known all over the world will remain til longer after we have gone and have played a major part in the growth in the heyday of shipping eras to the tourism industry that exists now. Our architecture and listed buildings are only second to London in this country
(think Edinburgh is second in UK if I recall) But when I have read over the wranglings with Unesco re; the Liverpool and Wirral Waters projects a while back I think it is time for someone (may that be individual in power or a board of control possibly) to really stand up and be counted for the long term future for our city and surrounding areas and push this major investment programme forward for the benefit of the future of Liverpool
As it has been pointed out the Lies of New York, Shanghai etc have all been lauded on there power house economic drive and waterfront appearances and why should not Liverpool be any different?? I think Peel should be commended for the vision for Liverpool and Wirral Waters for the future and all SME’s, council and powers that be should embrace this chance that has been put forward.
Most of my work that I either quote or actually win is still in Manchester and the level of investment just seems to continue and I am proud that we work with Manchester based companies, but nothing would make me prouder to see the balance adjusted that we get a fair crack of the whip of investment to benefit every single business and person for the long term in our neck of the woods. This can only happen if we all pull together and realise what a great opportunity we have moving forward and what the likes of companies like Signature are trying to achieve.
Thank you, Frank I couldn’t agree more
Development doesn’t all have to be in the city centre. There’s loads of room in the north of the city that could be developed and improve the poorer areas often neglected for the south of the city
Hi Steve, you are right, but we still have a job to do in the centre of our City, as we have many amazing historical buildings that are left to fall into a derelict state. As a company that cares passionately about our City, we have already started a refurbishment programme in places like Bootle creating 190 apartments, with many more to follow, we are about start in two other Liverpool areas that have not seen development for many years.
Thanks for writing this Lawrence, very informative. However, I question the value of such direct comparisons with Manchester. Cities are not independent of their geography and Manchester’s centrality and radial spread can not and should not be emulated by Liverpool. Statements warning that Liverpool will ‘lose even more ground with Cities like Manchester’ sadly confirm Liverpool as a follower, not an innovator. Perhaps paradoxically, our future progress relies on magnifying our unique concentration of outstanding 19th and 20th century architecture, not exchanging it for homogeneity. A city’s history should be legible through its structures. Although this can not be directly monetised, it is this special atmosphere created by the city centre’s older structures that draws people here and confounds our critics. I wouldn’t worry about Liverpool Waters compromising our UNESCO status. I suspect the whole Peel project is a ruse to increase neighbouring land values and after their sale it will never be built.
I agree with you, but I do not wish to emulate Manchester in anyway other than, creating buildings that will bring more people, create more council tax and above all help our City gain more jobs so that we can move away from depressing stats such as the U.k. has a 5% average as opposed to Liverpool’s 10% unemployed. The point is that the funds are available to create the above we just do not have the buildings to gain the funds.
A fantastic article. Upon my return to the city over numerous years of being away, the development, growth and opportunity Liverpool has become home to, truthfully, makes me extremely proud.
Whilst understanding Liverpool is currently sat in a catch 22 with sanctions on building height married with limited city space due to the river, I would invite everyone to watch the following video with a way in which I believe, things could continue to move forward and at least stay with the competition.
https://www.ted.com/talks/ole_scheeren_why_great_architecture_should_tell_a_story
If you build , that does not necessarily mean they will come!
As per earlier responses MAnchester City Centre is a different proposition to Liverpool and in terms of branding I would like to see greater collaboration between the cities to promote the North West region on a national, European and global stage where both cities can play to their individual strengths
Hi Tony, yes you are right we do need a stronger collaboration between Manchester and Liverpool and you could actually argue that we already have it by association, without any doubt Liverpool’s accommodation values have risen due to the fact that we are seen as a better value proposition than that of Manchester’s developments. Liverpool’s City centre apartment values have risen sharply from the average price of £200 per square foot on the Stand to up to £300 per square foot today, Manchester is now above £400 per square foot. I am a very strong advocate of the view of build it and they will come, it is upon this ethos that Signature living has grown so quickly. Liverpool without any doubt is now seen as a very cool city to visit and live, I should know, we have over 1250 beds and have just recorded a 92% occupancy level over our entire platform for January, which is well known to be the weakest performing month of the year.
Superb article. I’m pleased someone is thinking along the same lines as myself. Where’s this Liverpool Waters? Where’s Joes vision? We need to expand the cities boundaries to absorb satellite towns and give us a population of 1-1.5 Million in the next five years, to grow at a rate of 10k per annum. People is power. More people, more industry, more business. The airport is crying out for more usage. < 5 million is unacceptable and should be at least double this encouraging locals to use it rather than ring way. We should also increase tunnel charges and allow Liverpool people to be exempt. People who come into the city should pay for the privilege. Manchester will never be a beautiful city, despite how much it's encouraged to develop by successive governments. I don't really understand why they waste such money when the real city of Liverpool will always offer so much more to the world, just like it always has.
Surely Liverpool is unique and should not be compared to Manchester in any shape or form. I’m not savvy in these kind of politics but when you look at Liverpool now we have remembered, and saved where possible, while embracing a compatible future for generations to come. Being dictated to by others who only see £’s bothers me because they are missing the heart of Liverpool – us.
This seems to boil down to “We want to build taller skyscrapers!” Is that all that matters? Our city has risen, and tourism is booming DESPITE the nondescript skyscrapers. We do not need Unesco status.. We have our own, and everyone except Unesco knows this. But it seems that the only single thing that your development lobby want is more and more skyscrapers – and nothing else. Can we please talk about the CITY instead.
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Lawrence, you hit the nail on the head, and many of those posting in reply make good points as well. The past needs to be preserved and appreciated, but not at the expense of damaging the city’s future. There is absolutely no reason why modern, fit-for-purpose development cannot exist alongside, and even complement, the historic buildings we have around the city. Unesco’s reaction might be justified if the city was planning to clear away whole areas of historic buildings, but that is not the case. The Liverpool Waters development will regenerate large areas of under-used, poorly maintained land and will not affect the historic elements of the city in any way. Similarly, modern developments in other parts of the city should be encouraged if they sit alongside and complement the city’s heritage. As a final point, I would say that there may be situations in which damage to an element of heritage cannot be avoided. In such cases there must be a sensible debate about the benefits of one over the other, and the final decision must be the one that brings the greatest long-term benefit to the city.
Thank you Paul, I do believe we should create a debate to discuss what the people of Liverpool would like to do with regard to our UNESCO status.
The NCP surface carpark on Pall Mall is perfect for out tallest buildings, a step up from the existing towers on the waterfront. We could maximise the space of vacant plots by building up where appropriate and providing large amounts of new office space close to existing transport infrastructure i.e. Moorfields.
I agree that the buildings at the Pier Head shouldn’t be overwhelmed but I actually think the new towers around Old Hall Street and Princes Dock provide an interesting contrast between old and new, the grouping of the new cluster also looks impressive from the other side of the river. As long as the design is right I think this is the perfect area in Liverpool to go taller.
Liverpool was once called “City of Change and Challenge” – to which we used to respond, “Well here is the challenge, now let’s see the change”! Certainly there are not any fundamental difficulties in controlling new development in a way that endangers Liverpool’s architectural heritage (and/or UNESCO status). But this would also mean having more confidence in the City’s ability to pursue a positive and informed approach to both statutory planning and development control. As we used to say, “That is the challenge – now let’s see the change”!
There is some truth in what you’re saying here, whilst our heritage is obviously of importance development is more important because its development which will enable our graduates to stay in the city and not be forced to move elsewhere because there aren’t well paid jobs here in Liverpool. I have respect for yourself because Signature Living have brought a number of buildings back to life, too bad your company doesn’t specialise in grade A office space as our commercial sector offering is going down the drain…
Hi James, thank you for your thoughts and you are right the largest issue our City faces is the fact that in two years we will have just two grade A office’s available and for a City of Liverpool’s size that is unacceptable. Another problem, is that our latest scheme on Old Hall Street is yielding just £7.50 per foot and any developer would need to net at least £20 per foot on grade A space just to break even. On saying that Signature Living are about to announce plane to create 100,000 square foot of grade A office space in our City
Thanks for getting back to me Lawrence, I’m glad you’re aware of this as it is a very concerning matter for the city. I think part of the issue is the lack of grade A office space available, because with the right endorsement the relatively cheap office space and wealth of educated personal from the regions universities should see Liverpool as a very attractive proposition.
Whilst I’m disappointed at the slow economic development of the Liverpool city region against that of Manchester. It is In fact Manchester which is inadvertently helping Liverpool to re-establish itself. I believe Manchester is the economic driver which will suck in maritime commerce through the new Liverpool Superport which otherwise would be directed through southern ports like Felixstowe, Southampton or London. I’m certain that once the new port facility opens in the spring then that will be the catalyst for change for Liverpool. The economic floodgates will be flung wide open. However I must agree on the earlier point that Liverpool needs to urgently cast off the Unesco shackles.
Good point. Despite our differences, to compete in today’s world Liverpool and Manchester need to cooperate and infrastructure needs to improve between them – in fact I believe improving the links between the cities of the north should take precedence over HS2. I am proud of Liverpool and its beauty, but let us not forget that much of Liverpool’s cultural heritage was borne out of the fruits of commerce. We must protect what has been passed down to us, yet not let it stand in the way of progress. Let’s not sell off the family silver (ie Sefton Park Meadows) for one-off cash settlements, but create the environment for sustainable business opportunities that will provide employment and create wealth.
Fantastic article Lawrence & I’m so pleased someone who genuinely cares for this city is standing up for it!
You’ve done so much for the people and economy here in Liverpool and I hope it continues. We should do all we can to preserve the past and the amazing buildings we have here in Liverpool which makes us so different from Manchester.
Liverpool has a fantastic past, which we are all very proud of, but we must define our own future, too.
In order to create more opportunities and landmark moments for the city, the only option is to move forward. Otherwise, we’ll just be overshadowed by the many skyscrapers that surround our great city, leaving us to wilt away.
Great article, Lawrence.
Fantastic article Lawrence!
Very proud to be from such an amazing city that is developing day by day.
I hope you continue to develop the city and bring even more to the economy, creating more jobs for the people of Liverpool.
Brilliant article, I agree that Liverpool need to embrace the new architecture of skyscrapers like other cities have whilst also preserving the beautiful buildings Liverpool already has to offer.
I liked the article. My view is that Liverpool should preserve its beautiful buildings and maritime heritage. That is partly what is distinctive about the city, and why I would choose to visit. So many beautiful buildings,like the Seamens Home near what’s now Liverpool One, were needlessly lost. The city can’t just aspire to being another Manchester. I think some of the buildings behind the Pier Head are too large and dominate the environment, but aren’t nice to look at either. The city needs to take a long-term view and leave something to be proud of for future generations, and a coherent strategy should help with this.
I think a beautiful historic city which is well-run will attract investment and tourism and that return is very long term, but it can be attractive for politicians to grab desperately at quick fixes which don’t necessarily give a long term benefit to many people.
I worked in the city but left in the early 1990’s when there was a shortage of good jobs. The firm I last worked at, in Edge Lane, closed some years back.
Hi nobody has said anything about the weather yet ,Manchester seams to have a grey cloud over it most of the time,Liverpool climate offers more along the sea front , and don’t think Manchester can cope much longer with traffic volume.