The New King Edward Tower

[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.