The New King Edward Tower

[Waterways]

The old design.....


I like it !!! Roll on...start ASAP! The city needs a distinctive tower like this.

This colourful design is the newly planned skyscraper to stand on the King Edward pub site in Liverpool replacing a previous version inspired by the city's two cathedrals.

If it secures planning permission, the tower will stand 165 metres tall with 54 storeys within. The scheme is being developed by Richmont Property Ltd and Y1 Developments and has been modified to help it fit in better with the nascent plans by Peel Property for Liverpool Waters who had objected to the previous plans.

The development will contain offices, a new hotel and apartments making it similar in use to the prior proposals although these details are subject to change as the project is still going through public consultation. Likewise, the precise aesthetic details may be altered although what has surfaced should be at least an approximately facsimile of what gets officially proposed.

The basic shape of the tower remains from before but the plans have gone through a radical makeover with it now split into coloured vertical sections that are largely three storeys each in height and alternate between red, yellow and blue giving it a lego-like appearance and contrasting strongly with the previous more restrained design.

Strips of coloured cladding separate each floor from the next whilst solid coloured panels feature between the glazing. Adding further to the lego-like appearance is the stacked vertical nature of the blocks complete with voids on the lower levels making it look like a child hasn't finished filling in the gaps although in reality these should provide large outside areas for the residents to enjoy.

It's only at the bottom of the tower that the design departs from these colours and a sense of outright fun. At ground level a curving brown grille features sweeping around in front of white crossbracing responding to the curves of the site boundary along Robertson Street and Denison Street.

If the plans for the King Edward site get approval, work could start as early as 2011 and in time for a 2014 finish.

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/news.php?ref=2455

[Spike]

Why do we need this?

Do we not have offices and apartments in Liverpool?

Our skyline is going to look so ugly if these crazy ideas keep coming. You will be lucky if you can see the Cathedrals in a few years time the way this is all going.

How many Scousers will Live or work here? How many will build it? very few I would think. Another idea I hope gets thrown out.

[Waterways]

Why do we need this?

Do we not have offices and apartments in Liverpool?

Yes,as the city is to get bigger.

Our skyline is going to look fantastic. The most recognisable waterfront in Europe.

[GNASHER]

Yes,as the city is to get bigger.

Our skyline is going to look fantastic. The most recognisable waterfront in Europe.

It already is

[Waterways]

It already is

It will be even more and more and more.

[Cadfael]

We've already ruined a World Heritage Site at the Pier Head so why not build more thoughtless 'lego' style buildings when half of them are empty already?

Why don't we concentrate on preserving our old buildings lying empty? The White Star Line building on James Street would do for a start - or would that not give the council enough money in a brown envelope?

Enough said:

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.com/

[Waterways]

We've already ruined a World Heritage Site at the Pier Head so why not build more thoughtless 'lego' style buildings when half of them are empty already?

Why don't we concentrate on preserving our old buildings lying empty? The White Star Line building on James Street would do for a start - or would that not give the council enough money in a brown envelope?

The reason many are not full is that we are experiencing the worst world financial crash since 1929. They will eventually be full.

The older buildings need revamps inside. They are not suited to modern offices, which require comms connections, proper a/c, modular to cope with changing needs, etc. There is nothing wrong with these buildings, they just need to be modern inside. When the economy picks up the developers will move in and revamp the insides. Or convert them to apartments or hotels, if they are beyond letting out economically as offices. Many have poor views from windows, are the back, etc.

No one is saying pull, the White Star Building down. In fact that would be a good hotel. Great location.

[lindylou]

I want the best of both worlds. I'd love for them to renovate existing places like the White Star Line building - of course that should be done. But I also think we should have, and deserve to have, a dazzling and stunning skyline. Why shouldn't we ? - Liverpool is a great city and a futuristic skyline would surely show the world that we are not the deprived dump that some would like to make believe we are. I'd like to show the world that the city is rising up - quite literally - and joining alongside with the other great cities like ones I have mentioned. It's must be important though, that anything new shouldn't be to the detriment of any existing buildings of note, and that anything new should be in the right location.

[Waterways]

Liverpool is a great city and a futuristic skyline would surely show the world that we are not the deprived dump that some would like to make believe we are.

The amount of people who think Liverpool is a total dump is phenomenal. OK some districts do not do the image any favours, and the litter is well above average to the point Bill Bryson said, "Liverpool was having a festival of litter". But the centre is coming along well. When people in London make derogatory comments to me about Liverpool, I mention it was European capital of culture and most of the centre and old docks are a World Heritage Site they go quiet .Then I remind them of Kings Cross, Stoke Newington, Brixton, much of the East End and remind them of their selective amnesia, which needs seeing to.

But it is Liverpool's responsibility to change that image. New iconic modern buildings does give that go-ahead image. Liverpool needs to change its image abroad to attract foreign investment. The UK is still in this anti-Liverpool mindset. However many foreign people are based in London and view Liverpool in a negative way because the locals said so.

What attracts and impresses people when visiting a new city is the transport infrastructure as that is what they use. People leave Paris and Munich with positive impressions after using the local metros. Liverpool has to focus on its metro to encourage people to locate to the city and give a positive impression. Arrive at the airport and take the Merseyrail to James St and then walk over to your hotel. That sort of thing impresses. If you are messed about in travelling you don't like to return.

Also the new stadia that is to be built. They need to be in attractive locations with fast rail connections as well -this impresses outsiders. Many, many 1000s each year would visit the stadia each year and many from aboard.

You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

[underworld]

I like it too. Buildings like this will help to raise the profile of the city and contribute to its prosperity which cannot be a bad thing. However I did like the old King Edward pub being there too but its been derelict for years.

[GNASHER]

What a load of cr4p.

[underworld]

Scuse me?

[GNASHER]

Scuse me?

Not what you said underworld,the building.What an eyesore.

[Max]

2nd ones looks better than the 1st picture.

The cathedrals will still be visable as long as these are kept to certain areas.

Is a bit weird how alot of world countries colonised by the British have all these buildings quite common but outside of London in the Uk, there is hardly none!

[Waterways]

2nd ones looks better than the 1st picture.

The cathedrals will still be visable as long as these are kept to certain areas.

Is a bit weird how alot of world countries colonised by the British have all these buildings quite common but outside of London in the UK, there is hardly none!

Well spotted. Look at this Yo blog entry. http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/ent...n-Sucks-us-Dry How London sucks the rest dry. Economist Fred Harrison has a whole chapter in one of his books on the bias towards London and how figures are used to justify the exorbitant public investment in the city. He counters with figures.