Kingston House/ Coopers Emporium

[Kev]

A FORTY-YEAR-OLD building in the centre of Liverpool's World Heritage site is to be marketed across the world in a bid to kickstart regeneration in the area.

City agency Liverpool Vision has called for developers to come up with an imaginative redevelopment scheme for 1960s Kingston House, which dominates the corner between James Street and Strand Street close to the Pier Head. They envisage a new office building with leisure and retail facilities in what will be seen as a landmark development of up to 12 storeys.

Local and national developers have been invited to submit potential ideas for the site, which it is hoped will spark other similar regeneration projects in the immediate area.

Kingston House, now owned by the Northwest Regional Development Agency is situated at the junction of Strand Street and James Street, and has been earmarked as the ideal location for redevelopment.

The upper floors are vacant following the closure of a women-only health club. A popular bar occupies the ground floor of what was once a hotel.

The location of the site, considered prominent to the city, offers developers an exciting opportunity to demonstrate their architectural skills. Liverpool Vision has created a brief for the site, currently an 1960s-style office building, which promotes the idea of a 10-12 storey high quality office.

The brief suggests possible ideas for the site which include retail or leisure purposes on the street level floors, and high specification residential use for the higher levels.

Liverpool Vision chief executive Jim Gill said: "This is an important opportunity to regenerate an area which provides a key route between the business district and the city's waterfront.

"The development brief outlines the type of development we would like to see there but we are keen for developers and their architects to be imaginative and forward-thinking when drawing up proposals."

In a effort to improve the experience for pedestrians on James Street, the brief comes in association with a Development Framework document that was created for the wider area.

Paul Lakin, the NWDA's Head of Development said: "Liverpool city centre is fast becoming a leading business destination and it is vital that we continue to develop high-quality office space to continue to attract companies to the area.

"This project is yet another outstanding opportunity to create an innovative scheme in a prominent location in Liverpool."

Source (http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_objectid=17396694%26method=full%26siteid=50061% 26headline=prime%2dliverpool%2dlocation%2dto%2dbe% 2dsold%2dto%2dthe%2dworld%2d-name_page.html)...

[wallasey]

Knock it down, Knock it down! Its U-G-L-Y!

That is a prime City Centre Site with improving bus links to areas across the region as well as having a underground station just sited across the road.

The height of the new building is a wise one. 10 stories is more than adequate for that area of town. We don't want to overshadow the Pier Head do we!

[kenotoole123@msn.com]

I noticed in the 'Echo' on friday last, that the Pub in 'Kingston House'.....'Cooper's Emporium'...was advertising its 'Closing' down Night...So things must be moving along...:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[Kev]

Yes, I think it closed for good tonite.....

[Kev]

THERE are now four companies in the running to regenerate Kingston House - the 1960s eyesore currently housing the disused Fitness Factory gym and the Coopers Emporium pub on the corner of James Street and The Strand in Liverpool.

Liverpool Vision, which is marketing the site on behalf of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, called for potential developers to submit an imaginative scheme.

The urban regeneration company said the project offered the opportunity to create a landmark high-quality office building of between 10 and 12 storeys with retail or leisure uses at street level, and residential units on the upper floors.

The four on the shortlist are:

* Langtree Group

* UK Land and Property

* FT Patten Properties, in partnership with Eric Wright Group

* HBG Properties

Haydock-based Langtree describes itself as an urban renewal specialist and next month begins a mixed-use scheme off Duke Street in Liverpool. Recent projects include Wellington Employment Park at Sandhills, and Liverpool and Venture Point West industrial park at Speke.

UK Land and Property, based in Liverpool, was responsible for the development at Estuary Commerce Park and Boulevard Industry Park, both at Speke.

Wilmslow-based FT Patten Properties has carried out work for clients such as Royal Mail, and Chester City Councils. Its partner, Preston-based Eric Wright Group, has previously developed schemes such as the 1.6m sq ft office site at the Daresbury Park Development, Cheshire, and a 42-apartment scheme in Henry Street, Liverpool, and a Formby school.

HBG Properties is a London-based company. Its portfolio includes retail, healthcare and education projects.

Jim Gill, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said: "This is the first step in creating a new high quality development."

The shortlist is the first stage of a two-stage selection process. The preferred developer will be appointed before the year's end.

sophiefreeman@dailypost.co.uk

[Paul D]

Developer chosen to revamp key city site:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

A LANDMARK 12-storey office building for the run-down James Street area of Liverpool city centre has moved a step closer - after a preferred developer was selected for the scheme.

Liverpool Vision and the North West Development Agency (NWDA) have chosen Langtree to lead the redevelopment of the site, currently occupied by Kingston House, on the corner of James Street and The Strand.

Langtree beat off competition from three other shortlisted companies - UK Land and Property, FT Patten (Holdings) in partnership with Eric Wright Group and HBG Properties.

Kingston House is a 1960s office building owned by the NWDA. The brief for the quarter-acre site offered the opportunity to create a landmark high-quality office building of between 10 and 12 storeys with active retail or leisure uses at street level.

The prominent location means that a high-quality building was a significant factor in selection of the preferred scheme and development partner.


Liverpool Vision chief executive Jim Gill said: "Liverpool city centre is growing rapidly and major development opportunities of this nature are increasingly scarce.


"We were very impressed by the obvious commitment of all the shortlisted developers and the quality of the proposals presented to us.


"Langtree demonstrated real imagination and a strong commercial approach in their proposal. Their track record in delivering positive change in urban areas was also an important consideration in our final recommendation."


The proposals to build 85,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and 15,000sq ft of retail/leisure space will now go through a detailed development and design process prior to being submitted for planning permission to the city council in the autumn.


Martin Lloyd, NWDA head of property, said: "The agency now looks forward to seeing detailed proposals that will maximise the potential of the site, and working together with both Liverpool Vision and Langtree for the delivery of this important project."


John Downes, managing director of Langtree, added: "We have very much enjoyed the opportunities and challenges that we have faced in the development of similar projects, such as Forty Sprin-gardens in Manchester city centre, and we are confident in our team's ability to ensure that Kingston House will be delivered to the highest standard."

[PhilipG]

Kingston House deserves to be remembered for what it was, and not as a "1960s office building" (which it wasn't).
It was named after Charles Kingston who founded the Mersey Mission to Seamen in 1856, and was built by the Mission in two stages - the Club in 1956 (the 4 storey corner block), and the Residence in 1964.
The Club was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1957.
The Residence opened in 1964 - it was a 10 storey hotel with 62 bedrooms. Architect: Philip Dod, who died during construction.
The Mission sold the building in 1983.

[MissInformed]

does anyone have any pics?
i can't picture the building!

[A.D.W]

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/dale/castle/james1006061.jpg

[A.D.W]

http://www.liverpoolviews.co.uk/dale/castle/james1006065.jpg

[christy]

Kingston House deserves to be remembered for what it was, and not as a "1960s office building" (which it wasn't).
It was named after Charles Kingston who founded the Mersey Mission to Seamen in 1856, and was built by the Mission in two stages - the Club in 1956 (the 4 storey corner block), and the Residence in 1964.
The Club was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1957.
The Residence opened in 1964 - it was a 10 storey hotel with 62 bedrooms. Architect: Philip Dod, who died during construction.
The Mission sold the building in 1983.

Couldnt agree more mate. used to regularly go when I was a kid with my dad and see some of my uncles who stayed there when they came home from sea.
I know it needs to go but because of it's associations and history ( just like the Nautical catering college that went from Canning place), it will be sad when the building and another piece of seagoing heritage is gone.

[bunf]

any one know whats happening to the monstrosity next door?

coopers i think it was called

[christy]

All part of the old seamans mission so will be part of the plan mate

[bunf]

All part of the old seamans mission so will be part of the plan mate

thanks mate

are they tarting it up or knocking it down and starting again?

[MissInformed]

the Coopers building needs bulldozing!!!grrrrrrrr

[lindylou]

Remember the gym there above Coopers ? :)

[MissInformed]

yeah lindy
figure factory I think it was called. :)
never went there though!

[SteH]

any one know whats happening to the monstrosity next door?

coopers i think it was called

May have been a monstrosity but it was the best place in Liverpool to spend a Sunday afternoon :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[SteH]

Remember the gym there above Coopers ? :)

Yeah it was mad, they had all the exercise machines in the window. Anyone stopped at the traffic lights could have a right gawp in. I was always concentrating on watching the road and waiting for the lights to change of course. :unibrow:

[lindylou]

Ha,ha, I once won a competition and the prize was a 12 months free membership for that gym. I only got to use the free pass for a few weeks when I broke my leg and that was the end of that !! :rolleyes:

(I didn't break my leg at the gym by the way) :D

[lindylou]

May have been a monstrosity but it was the best place in Liverpool to spend a Sunday afternoon :PDT_Aliboronz_24:

Yeah, Coopers was good . :celb (23):

[Harry]

Maybe they could include space for a boozer on the ground floor again,
New Cooper's.

[Paul D]

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8323/kingstonhouseproposed2qi4.jpg

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6072/kingstonhouseproposed1ks3.jpg


http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7047/kingstonhouseproposed3lb8.jpg

Here's the images of what's planned for Kingston House,it looks great I think.

[Kev]

Obviously anything there is a bonus, now to take out that awful building to the right of it :013::008::009:

[RoddersUK]

That looks a lot better that the image in the Spring Issue of 'Vision' magazine!
Even if it is just a carbon copy of every other new building lately.

[AK1]

looks great!:)

[PhilipG]

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7047/kingstonhouseproposed3lb8.jpg

Here's the images of what's planned for Kingston House,it looks great I think.

I wonder why they used such an old photo?

Beetham Plaza is still Wilberforce House.

[Max]

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8323/kingstonhouseproposed2qi4.jpg

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/6072/kingstonhouseproposed1ks3.jpg


http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7047/kingstonhouseproposed3lb8.jpg

Here's the images of what's planned for Kingston House,it looks great I think.

Kingston Mon!:PDT_Aliboronz_24:

[jon_hall]

I presume that is the one on corner of James St / Strand (with Coopers pub on groundfloor) that closed last year for redevelopment?

Anyone any news on that site?

[Kev]

Try here (http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1799&highlight=kingston+house).

[jon_hall]

Cheers lad, had a look around and couldn't find it (though knew it'd be here somewhere)

[architect]

has anybody seen the design that won the bid to buy the site back in November last year.
The design scored 9/10 at the interviews.

[Paul D]

has anybody seen the design that won the bid to buy the site back in November last year.
The design scored 9/10 at the interviews.

No we haven't,do you have any links as to where we can view them?

[Kev]

I've just merged 3 Kingston House threads into one :PDT11

[Kev]

A SCHEME to create 500 jobs in Liverpool city centre is on hold because of a row over an eyesore overhead walkway. Read (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2007/10/22/london-firm-puts-block-on-500-city-jobs-100252-19987238/)

[Paul D]

I'm sick of people trying to screw the city every time we try to regenerate somewhere,it's holding the city back.:PDT_Xtremez_12: