M&S Building

**AK1** · 04-08-2008

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** · 04-08-2008

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** · 04-08-2008

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 04-08-2008

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** · 04-09-2008

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** · 04-15-2008

Originally Posted by 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)

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** · 04-15-2008

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

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

**AK1** · 04-15-2008

Originally Posted by petromax

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.

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** · 06-06-2008

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 faï¿½ade. 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 ï¿½excellentï¿½ 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/urbansa...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/urbansa...n/photostream/

**Ged** · 06-06-2008

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** · 06-06-2008

Very smart.

**quincyg** · 06-06-2008

Originally Posted by RoddersUK

Originally Posted by AK1

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

**AK1** · 06-07-2008

Originally Posted by quincyg

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.

**ayjaykay** · 06-08-2008

Originally Posted by AK1

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.

**Kev** · 10-02-2008

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