150,000 sq ft of Wirral workspace completes 

Morgan Sindall Construction has handed over two offices in Birkenhead to the Wirral Growth Company, a major milestone in the regeneration of the town centre. 

The offices, totalling 150,000 sq ft, make up the first phase of Birkenhead’s transformation, which is being led by a JV between Wirral Council and Muse. 

Designed by AHR Architects, the offices were forward funded by Canada Life Asset Management to the tune of £75m. 

Michael White, head of UK property at Canada Life, said: “We are really pleased to have provided the finance for this development which forms part of Wirral Council’s wider regeneration plans in Birkenhead.  

“The two office buildings will provide the Wirral with gold standard, modern workspaces which meet the highest standards of energy efficiency.” 

Wirral Council will be the first tenant to occupy the offices taking several floors within one of the buildings. The second office was constructed speculatively. 

Cllr Paul Stuart, Leader of Wirral Council, said the project had “exceeded” the authority’s ambitions in terms of social value. 

Morgan Sindall set itself a target of providing 266 weeks’ worth of work for apprentices during the build and surpassed this target, offering the equivalent of 864. 

“It’s essential that large scale regeneration projects are so much more than simply bricks and mortar,” Stuart said. 

“There is much to celebrate with the achievements made here that I hope we can take forward to motivate and inspire others.” 

Richard Potts, Morgan Sindall Construction’s area director for the Liverpool City Region, said: “This is a scheme that will generate long-term growth and prosperity in Birkenhead, and from our appointment to handover we were focussed on ensuring the local community benefited every step of the way. As a result, our work on this brilliant project has resulted in a tangible skills and employment boost for Birkenhead.” 

Plans for the 15-year, 27-acre masterplan were approved in April 2021. 

The office development will be followed by the creation of a new market hall, as well as around 650 homes, a 110-bedroom hotel, and a 300-space car park.   

Steven Knowles, director of development management at Muse, said: “We’re creating real change in Birkenhead town centre through an innovative and ambitious masterplan. 

“Canada Life Asset Management’s inward investment into Wirral demonstrates the strength and potential of what we’re creating here and further cements our commitment to delivering a vibrant town centre.”