M&S Building

[AK1]

Whilst walking around town today I couldn't help but notice that M&S is expanding into the shops on the corners of the building.
The buildings at the rear of M&S which front onto Williamson Square are all empty apart from one or two. Does anyone know if M&S is buying up these shops in order to create a new rear entrance to the store?

[quincyg]

they are moving into the old George Henry Lees building when the new John Lewis opens. M&S are refurbishing and expanding their store then moving back in. Rapid Hardware will eventually take over the old GHL building.

[AK1]

they are moving into the old George Henry Lees building when the new John Lewis opens. M&S are refurbishing and expanding their store then moving back in. Rapid Hardware will eventually take over the old GHL building.

So if it's expanding, I suppose it is possible that they are expanding at the rear, if so, this would be a vast improvement on the existing buildings.
The fact that Rapid are taking over the existing JL building seems a bit of a waste. The JL building has a very impressive exterior all the way around, which is rare to see after the 'modernisation' projects of the 60's.
Somehow, putting a hardware store in that building, in church street doesn't seem right.

[higgins]

I do agree with you AK1, perhaps m&s would be better in the JL building, it has much more character than their present one. Rapid could then go into m&s building but I dont think it will look well in Church Street at all. Do you remember when JL building was Bon Marche' and JL had the building behind (now part of JL of course). I had my first job with Bon Marche' as a junior on second floor 'model coats and suits' as the lift man would say. Happy memories.

[lindylou]

I agree that DIY doesn't seem suited to the George Henry Lees building. (I'll always call it that. I've never thought of it as the John Lewis building) :)

[petromax]

I agree that DIY doesn't seem suited to the George Henry Lees building. (I'll always call it that. I've never thought of it as the John Lewis building) :)

I have heard that Rapid intend to run a department store (rather than a DIY store) in the George Henry Lee building. After all they already sell white goods...I am not sure that it will be called Rapid.

[lindylou]

I was visualising paint brushes and bottles of turps in the windows of G H Lees :D

Rapid now sell home furnishings so that would be ok, also white goods.

[AK1]

I have heard that Rapid intend to run a department store (rather than a DIY store) in the George Henry Lee building. After all they already sell white goods...I am not sure that it will be called Rapid.

That would be far better, I also had visions of paint and wallpaper in the windows. Thanks for the info.:PDT_Piratz_26:

Regarding the M&S building, M&S have told me that the renovations to the store are purely internal and they won't be buying up the properties at the rear.

[RoddersUK]

This is why M&S are mooving onto the OLD John Lewis for 2 Years
Then back into the new store


"As part of our work in developing an architectural language for Marks and Spencer, we developed a concept for a refurbishing a city centre store and creating a flagship store and based our work on their existing store in Liverpool.

For this exercise, we developed the a contemporary and welcoming shopping experience behind an existing listed fa�ade. The proposal is to refurbish the entire store and create a 200,000 sq ft flagship store trading over 5 floors. The proposal includes the refurbishment of the a grade II listed building and the incorporation of a new 50,000 sq feet building.

Working with WSP and Faber Maunsell, we looked at how we could create a BREEAM �excellent� store and how we could incorporate low energy technologies.

A dramatic triple height void at the front of the store will give customers the immediate impression that they are in a large M&S store and helping them understand what is on offer. A new daylit central movement area creates a legible and easily navigable store

For Austin-Smith:Lord LLP"

Some links to related movies

http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbansalon/2448696417/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbansalon/2448704773/in/photostream/

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Rodders-UK/churchst_0.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Rodders-UK/willday_0.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Rodders-UK/willnight_0.jpg
http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Rodders-UK/int_0.jpg

[Ged]

Wow that's a bit futuristic looking, perhaps too much so for the surrounding area though the new St. John's might look just as impressive. Where's the shoppers helipad?

[lindylou]

Very smart.

[wallasey]

interesting....i'll give it that. Defiantly interesting!

[the pool08]

wow..nice one ^^

[kenotoole123@msn.com]

Looks great..!!

[Espresso Bar]

If I saw this building anywhere in Europe I'd be impressed.

[jon_hall]

Will be good with the refurbished store coupled with that new extension.

[Kev]

it looks fab

[quincyg]

http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Rodders-UK/willday_0.jpg




Regarding the M&S building, M&S have told me that the renovations to the store are purely internal and they won't be buying up the properties at the rear.

well the pictures seem to suggest otherwise. that looks very external to me.

looks eco friendly and is certainly striking though

[julieoapw]

Wow!
That should keep shoppers in Church Street.

[AK1]

well the pictures seem to suggest otherwise. that looks very external to me.

looks eco friendly and is certainly striking though

They probably didn't want their plans being leaked early, looks very impressive and love the tree on the roof.:PDT11

[ayjaykay]

Regarding the M&S building, M&S have told me that the renovations to the store are purely internal and they won't be buying up the properties at the rear.

M&S have owned those properties at the rear for quite a while. They were going to redevelop the store about 10 years ago but then the company's profits fell and they put the plans on hold.

[buggedboy]

Taken from the executive board papers, from the meeting of 22nd April this year.

The plans to extend to Williamson Square are very much on and ploughing ahead.

"M&S are about to embark on a major refurbishment and expansion of their
existing store into 19-25 Williamson Square. 21/23 Williamson Sq is not
currently owned by a M&S. M&S have agreed (subject to contract) to dispose of
the freehold of 24-25 Williamson Square to Kingsley Properties Ltd and then
take back a 99 year lease of 21/25 Williamson Square."


http://councillors.liverpool.gov.uk/Published/C00000282/M00006851/AI00044759/$RES54Passageway2123WilliamsonSquare.docA.ps.pdf

[Waterways]

On the old John Lewis building/new M&S store - Church St/Williamson Square:

M&S Flagship store concept on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbansalon/2448704773/in/photostream/)

M&S Flagship store concept on Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbansalon/2448696417/in/photostream/)

This will improve Williamson Square no end.
...
...
...
Oops. I think they were already given previously. But here is another...
Urbansalon (http://www.urbansalonarchitects.com/content.php?page_id=752&s=2)

[Kev]

Reminds me of this GTA 4 Trailer clip about 19 seconds in.

YouTube - GTA IV trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlF6fbIFiCM)

[Kev]

HIGH Street giant Marks & Spencer has axed plans to move into the former George Henry Lee building during a multi-million pound refurbishment of its Liverpool city centre store. Read (http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2008/10/02/m-s-to-stay-on-church-street-during-refurb-100252-21947774/)

[gottago]

I guess they'll do the back first (as in the side on the square), move everything into that side while they do up the Church St side and then open it all up as one once it's all finished.

I wonder if Rapid will be opening a few years/months earlier now.