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We are excited to announce that we are gearing up to start on-site at Centric, an office-to-residential conversion project in Liverpool’s financial district, after we received permitted development planning permission from Liverpool City Council back in July.
Centric will offer high-quality, central urban living spaces with 46 thoughtfully designed one and two-bed apartments, featuring a resident community lounge, secure underground parking and bike-storage provision approved.
Howard, our Managing Director, comments: “We’ve been active in the Liverpool commercial market for several years, with our highly successful creative and tech hub, Elevator Studios, and our award-winning restoration and letting of Duke & Parr.”
“We have operated Centric as serviced offices for a number of years and with the pandemic affecting occupancy, the opportunity arose to look to extend our residential expertise into Liverpool to reinvigorate Centric.”
Truman Design & Build who recently completed the Molo Hotel scheme, on Duke Street in Liverpool are our confirmed contractors for the schedule works at Centric. Truman is due to take possession of the site the second week of September to commence works, which we expect to complete within a year.
The planning permission for the redevelopment was granted under permitted development rights, which were extended earlier this year by the previous government. We submitted a planning application that included a partial roof extension of the property, but this was turned down by Liverpool City Council in June. Viability constraints meant that the scheme could not provide any affordable homes, a justification that Liverpool’s viability consultants and planning team had accepted, but the committee rejected.
Howard continues: “Planning reform is a hot topic, with, in our view, the viability process being something requiring specific focus from Labour’s newly formed Government to help the process run smoothly and ensure housing targets are met. ”
“Our residential track record in Manchester speaks for itself with our commitment to deliver contemporary and desirable places to live, with this same approach applied to our first residential venture in Liverpool.”
Enabl is advising us on the planning consultancy and acting as the quantity surveyor for the Centric scheme. Upon completion in 2025, Centric will be managed by our in-house property management team.
If you want to hear more about our views on planning reform and the role of viability in planning, please listen to our latest podcast episode.
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