Parr Street Studios among major Liverpool schemes up for sign-off
Two projects in the Ropewalks area of the city are tipped for approval, while a pair of previously consented hotel projects will go before the committee again.
Recommended for approval
Parr Street Studios
The plans have proved controversial. Credit: via planning documents
Developer: PJ Percival Construction
Planner: Mosaic Town Planning
Architect: Architecture JD
The developer is seeking to demolish several buildings on Parr Street and redevelop the site to provide 70 apartments, eight aparthotel units and 12,000 sq ft of commercial space.
Located in the Ropewalks district of Liverpool, 33 to 55 Parr Street currently comprises a hotel, nightclub, recording studios, and residential units.
PJ Percival plans to deliver a five-to-six-storey scheme residential-led development under plans that are tipped for approval when Liverpool City Council’s planning committee meets for the final time this year next week.
An earlier iteration of the scheme sought permission for a six to eight-storey development across four blocks incorporating a hotel and 114 apartments.
Following discussion with the council’s planning department, the proposals have been scaled back.
The redevelopment of the site sparked anger among stakeholders who objected to the loss of Parr Street Studios, the recording studio located within the building.
Since opening in 1991, the studios have played host to several high-profile artists. It is understood the studios are relocating to new premises on Kempston Street in the Islington area of the city.
Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, has objected to the proposals, saying the scheme would result in the loss of “an important piece of the city’s musical and cultural infrastructure, which is important to the city’s economy”.
Ropewalks hotel
Tim Groom designed the hotel. Credit: planning documents
Developer: Duke Street Hotel
Planner: The Planning Studio
Architect: Tim Groom Architects
Close to the Parr Street Studios development, a vehicle connected to Liverpool developer Iliad Group is seeking consent for a 189-bedroom aparthotel.
The scheme would sit on a site between Duke Street and Parr Street currently occupied by a surface car park and a 1950s building previously used by Liverpool Music Academy.
The proposed development would comprise three linked buildings of between five and seven storeys containing 189 hotel rooms.
There would also be amenities including a lounge, gym, launderette, coworking, and dining facilities, as well as one ground floor commercial unit of 188 sq ft, and 38 short-stay car parking spaces.
Iliad Group is a long-term player and stakeholder in the Ropewalks area, developing projects such as Elysian Fields.
The project is tipped for approval next week.
Returning to committee
Meanwhile, two further hotel developments totalling more than 250 rooms are to be considered by the planning committee again having already been approved in 2019.
This is because Section 106 agreements for the schemes had not been approved until recently.
“Due to the considerable period that has elapsed since the original report was written, [these] applications need to be reconsidered,” a report to the planning committee said.
Former site of Liver Grease Oil & Chemical Company
The hotel is part of a wider phased development. Credit: via planning documents
Developer: Crossfield Exclusive Developments – a joint venture made up of Crossfield Developments and Exclusive Investments
Planner: Savills
Architect: Brock Carmichael
Liverpool City Council approved Crossfield Exclusive’s plans for a 202-bedroom hotel off Norfolk Street in 2019.
Reaching eight storeys, the hotel would include a gym, bar, restaurant, and outdoor roof terrace.
The scheme is part of a wider phased development. The first phase of 129 apartments was completed last year.
The proposed hotel will sit on the former Liver Grease, Oil & Chemicals site.
St Johns House hotel
Plans for the conversion were originally approved in 2019. Credit: via planning documents
Developer: Promenade Estates
Architect: Falconer Chester Hall
Promenade Estates received consent to convert its listed headquarters into a boutique hotel in July 2019.
The St Johns House hotel project will see the Sir Alfred Waterhouse-designed building converted to a 43-bedroom facility, with views across St John’s Gardens to St George’s Hall and the Walker Art Gallery.
Dr Duncan’s pub on the ground floor will be unaffected by the development, which forms the northernmost part of the 660,000 sq ft jigsaw that was Promenade’s redevelopment of Queen Square.
re Parr Street studios, the MP Kim Johnson was against this development too, and she seems to have a pattern of this kind approach, with her in charge we would hardly get any new schemes off the ground as she is obsessed with heritage, culture and the status quo.
Yes we like to preserve older buildings but sometimes they can be reconfigured as part of a new project, and businesses can re locate within the city(which has happened in this case I believe).
Let`s get all these schemes through planning and get the city moving again after all the previous dubious mismanagement.
By Anonymous
Dear-oh-dear, can I ask where is the landscaping consideration is in each of these submissions? Please don’t tell me it’s because of narrow sidewalks, underground obstacles or any other lazy excuse… face it, it’s simply a lack of imagination or aesthetic ignorance. Just look at how other cities navigate these issues (particularly in Europe) with attractive street planters, appropriate and careful tree planting, and the green factor ‘baked’ into the original design. Yes, it’s positive that these projects are replacing derelict or underused sites, but come on, you architects can do better than this… and you people in our planning departments need to be more discerning and demanding about quality and all matters green. Surely our built environment and city residents deserve it!
By Dezine
info. yes as reported in PNW 15 Feb. Parr Street studios have secured a move to a new home in the Fabric District, so it`s a win-win situation for the Ropewalks and Islington.
By Anonymous
I think Dezine this is a case of be grateful there is is still some development in Liverpool. You can’t push the envelope too far.
By Anonymous
Dear Dezine, Unlike the Anlgosphere, Northern / Central Europe has a socio-economic model, which starts at the communal level. There communities are not defined by a … “my private plot of land, my right to make a maximum profit” mentality. Nevertheless, have a pleasant peaceful Christmastide or what ever it’s now called.
By James Yates
Great news all welcome !!!
By G7
All good news, but the design of the Duke Street elevation of the Duke Street Hotel could be much improved. No mention of the listed building next door to it in this article, which was one of the country’s first libraries 220 years ago, and the demolition of its much better 50s extension.
I love the new Ropewalks hotel!
By Pool of Life
Sorry I meant I love the new Baltic Hotel from Crossfield. The Ropewalks hotel on Duke Street could be much improved!
By Pool of Life