Shanghai Tower.
Peel unveil plans for
the North West’s tallest building
at Liverpool Waters
Peel, the developers behind the £10 billion Liverpool Waters and Wirral Waters schemes today announced that they are planning to build the North West’s tallest building fronting the River Mersey with the development of a landmark 60 storey tower that will be built in Liverpool’s Princes Half Tide Dock.
The Liverpool and Wirral waterfront developments are one of the biggest regeneration schemes in the U.K. and Peel’s vision will see both these waterfronts developed to rival cities such as Dubai, Vancouver, New York and Shanghai.
This iconic tower will be designed by one of four world class architects who will be selected following a competition to ensure the structure acts as a catalyst for the regeneration of Liverpool Waters, North Shore and beyond as well as creating a unique opportunity for the people of Liverpool.
Surrounded by water, the location of the tower presents exciting challenges for the architects who have massive scope for innovative design, something befitting for such a wonderful world recognised location is required. The designs will be unveiled to the public later this year, before a final concept is chosen.
The selected architects are – AFL, Broadway Malyan, Chapman Taylor and Benoy.
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The tower will be named “Shanghai Tower” following an inspirational visit to this great Chinese City by Peel’s Development Director Lindsey Ashworth, and Chairman John Whittaker.
Liverpool has many links with China including boasting the oldest Chinese community in Europe. Twinned with Shanghai, and inspired by the bustling waterfront that combines modern skyscrapers with historic buildings, it is envisaged that Shanghai Tower will further strengthen Liverpool’s link with China as well as bringing a huge boost to the Liverpool economy.
The Liverpool Shanghai Partnership said, “This iconic building will place the Liverpool-Shanghai bilateral relations on a level commensurate with the greatness of the two cities. The Liverpool Shanghai Partnership (LSP) is delighted with this outcome from the visit. It is a great success. The Shanghai government have told us they are impressed with these plans and it will result in massive interest from big Chinese companies in using Liverpool as a gateway to the UK and Europe.”
The North West’s tallest tower and the tallest outside of London, will bring Liverpool its first 5 star hotel as part of a massive 93,000 square metres of mixed use floor space, that’s 1 million square feet of development. Along with the hotel, that will be operated by one of the World’s biggest and prestigious names in luxury accommodation, the tower will have high quality office space and beautiful apartments that will offer some of the best views in the Country. Bars, restaurants and many other leisure facilities will also be included to provide something for everybody. Featuring the very latest in architectural design, Shanghai Tower will also boast a heli-pad on the roof of the building and underwater basement car parking.
Mark Basnett, Operations Director at economic development and inward investment agency The Mersey Partnership (TMP), took part in the recent trade mission to Shanghai. He said, “Plans for the Shanghai Tower reinforce Liverpool’s reputation as a truly world-class city, whose waterfront is being transformed by major new investments and developments.
“China has one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and the naming of this iconic building will reinforce the continued business and cultural links between Shanghai and our own fast growing city.”
The tower which will be on the Liverpool Waterfront will be an investment in excess of £300 million and will transform the future of the skyline of the City. Well designed and planned tall buildings can make positive contributions to city life and Shanghai Tower will be a magnificent iconic structure that will make a statement about the city’s ambitions and it’s regeneration plans.
Councillor Warren Bradley, City Council Leader, said: “The scale of this scheme shows how Liverpool is now regarded by developers as a city whose ambition knows no bounds. It demonstrates a confidence in the city and is the type of development Liverpool needs to establish its place as an international city.
“It is potentially one of the most exciting schemes in Europe and could further enhance our waterfront. The decision to set the bar high on quality design is important and I welcome the decision by Peel to launch this design competition.
"We are a city which has always looked outwards and sought inspiration from other cities. This proposal reflects the 21st century skyline of Shanghai in a way that will mirror its new and dramatic architecture among the buildings of the Bund which themselves pay homage to our own Three Graces.
“However, this scheme is still at its early stages and I must point out that it will still be subject to the normal planning procedures.”
Peel are in discussions with Liverpool City Council about the impact Shanghai Tower will have on the City and are receiving guidance prior to a planning application being submitted.
Statement by Lindsey Ashworth, Development Director of Peel:
Shanghai Tower - a tall building but not a tall “storey”
The Development Director of Peel Lindsey Ashworth said –
“Myself and the Chairman John Whittaker went to Shanghai a few weeks ago as representatives of the business part of a delegation arranged by Liverpool City Council who are “twinned” with Shanghai and the Liverpool Shanghai Partnership (LSP) which was formed a year ago to develop the bilateral relationship. Peel already has business with Shanghai and China generally with its port operations and supply of goods and materials for its property developments, but we want to expand with and share their growing economy.
Our proposed development schemes Liverpool and Wirral Waters, an investment in excess of £10 Billion, are founded on the concept and vision of clusters of tall buildings in a waterfront environment and setting so it is important that we make the effort to learn from other great cities whose city fathers many years ago chose to pursue a similar strategy.
The Shanghai waterfront was absolutely breathtaking. Never have I seen such an array of beautiful modern buildings that blended in so perfectly with existing historical buildings.
The potential synergy of the location on each side of the Huangpu River in the districts of Huangpu and Lujiazui with Liverpool, Wirral and the River Mersey was amazing.
In Liverpool we have the “Three Graces” facing the Mersey, in Shanghai there must have been at least “Thirty Graces” on the waterfront; beautiful historic buildings set against a backdrop of modern skyscrapers creating a thriving, bustling and vibrant city for commerce, living and tourism.
Having witnessed such a spectacle, I believe the potential for Liverpool’s waterfront is even more enormous than I first thought, not just to enhance the beauty of the Three Graces but to support and add to the existing City centre in terms of all its attractions.
During the course of the week in Shanghai, we were so impressed by the visual appearance of their waterfront and expanding economy and level of business investment taking place there that we decided it was appropriate to make a pledge to the Chinese dignitaries in honor of our visit.
We pledged to construct the tallest building in the North West in our Liverpool Waters scheme and we have named it “Shanghai Tower”.
The association with Shanghai will embrace the existing Liverpool and Shanghai Partnership and give a huge boost to the Liverpool local economy by providing jobs and a whole host of other facilities.
Business will not come to Liverpool on its own initiative, we have to reach out to the international markets and show that we have the capacity, ability and wherewithal to move forward.
Peel is impressed by the new Liverpool regime with its renewed enthusiasm to move forward to ensure prosperity to this great City. It has a “can do” feel about it that shows it is prepared to take some tough decisions to make the vital changes necessary to meet the needs of this century and be a world recognised city from all aspects.
The private sector of course has to play its part and Peel does not fear challenges so we intend to make a visual statement on the waterfront that will show to Shanghai and the rest of the world that we mean business.
Of course Peel’s investment in the North West is not restricted to the redevelopment of these two waterfronts. They form a part of Peel’s wider £50 billion regeneration package that stretches along the entire River Mersey/Ship Canal corridor from our Liverpool and Wirral Waters schemes which we now call the “Ocean Gateway to the North West” to Manchester.
The North West is Peel’s neighbourhood and myself and John Whittaker are local lads trying to invest in it and do something special for the people to be proud of.
Our Shanghai Tower on the front porch of Liverpool will be a visual statement to the rest of the world and say - we are serious players competing for world trade and we are open for new business”.
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