Adam Hall: In response to Emlyn Williams' hope for Hope Street
I agree that Hope Street is one of Liverpool's Great Streets.
There are a range of architectural styles in the vicinity from the Philharmonic Hall designed by Herbert Rouse in what's called the streamline moderne style of stripped back Art Deco while the Philharmonic Dining Rooms opposite were designed by Walter Thomas in 1898 for Cain's brewery in the exuberant free style.
Then you have the two catherdrals, the Hope Street hotel and extension designed by ourselves, numerous Georgian terraces and the emerging, modern Everyman theatre, so it's a point of agreement that there is a rich variety of building types.
We were tasked with producing a design which didn't seek to emulate or copy styles of the past, but to create a calm, confident building from 2013 to provide a backdrop to those buildings on an important corner site.
Also, it isn't just a building, but a series of spaces around the perimeter and an internal public square which provides some much-needed quiet space off Hope Street, and which will be used for exhibitions, performances and displays.
We think we're using the highest quality materials with limestone for the base, and brick chosen after lengthy consultation with the City Council's Urban Design Manager, and which mirrors the proportion of the brick used in the neighbouring Philharmonic Hall. We have also designed it in such a way that it references features of adjacent buildings such as oriel windows, string courses, an overlay of vertical and horizontal grids and a curved face.
Before submitting the application we consulted thoroughly with stakeholders in the Hope Street area and our offer to meet to discuss the proposals was made to all interested parties.
We believe the building meets the needs of students and, importantly, of the City in being able to attract undergraduates in the future. A healthy knowledge economy is a key element of Liverpool's future economic growth, and the quality of the residential offer for potential students needs to be as high as possible in order to attract the best quality students into the city.
The operator, Student Castle, has an excellent reputation for managing its accommodation and will not accept any unsocial behaviour either within or around its scheme.
We remain slightly confused by English Heritage's response to the scheme as they voiced no objection in terms of height and massing to a scheme for the site on which they were consulted in 2008, and the present plans are actually lower than the previously approved scheme.
We set out to produce a scheme that is recommended for approval by the City Council's planning officers, and this is what we have achieved. We did not do this in isolation, but remained in a constant dialogue with the council throughout the process.
Liverpool should not underestimate the impact of £35m of inward investment, the significant job creation and apprenticeship training opportunities, and the benefit of attractive student accommodation in terms of bringing the brightest and the best to the city in future years that this development represents.
Adam Hall, is MD at architecture practice Falconer Chester Hall, which devised the student development which is back at the council's planning committee tomorrow.
9 Comments
Dale Street Associates
David Bartlett
City editor of the Post and Echo covering politics, regeneration, and urban affairs.
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The Hope Street and Canning Mafia will object to everything. If you walk down Myrtle Street toward Grove Street now that the Student accommodation has opened the area is alive again, it doesn't feel like the cul-de-sac time forgot.
The loss of the previous Butler building was a tragedy not sure why, what looks like a star case is left.
Now can we get on and fill in the gap where the Job Exchange used to be? Also the junction between Leece Street, Berry Street and Renshaw street as well as sorting out Lime Street. When that is all done we can have a vote on the worst building and get it replaced.
While your here I had a look at your portfolio and while permission seems to have been granted for buildings on Skelhorne Street, Great Crosshall Street, Union House and Oldham Street in about 2008 but nothing has happened. Will this one be the same?
http://www.fcharchitects.com/portfolio/leisure/
While you are here I had a look at your portfolio and while permission seems to have been granted for buildings on Skelhorne Street, Great Crosshall Street, Union House and Oldham Street in about 2008 but nothing has happened. Will this one be the same?
http://www.fcharchitects.com/portfolio/leisure/
I've just checked out your portfolio and spotted your plans for the Birkenhead Docks Hydraulic Tower.
You really are quite dangerous, aren't you? Step away from the pencil...
Mr. Bradley, I'm a bit confused...
Are the Hope Street Mafia the ones that threaten to bury their critics in concrete?
Or are they the ones you see carrying violin cases out of the Belvedere?
John Breadley - well said! The 2 Drs who unsuccessfully object to any planning application near them, aren't even Scousers.
If they truly represented residents they'd manage to cobble together petitions of more than a couple of dozen names.
Mr. Hartley the Hope Street/Canning Mafia can be spotted by the stain of green ink on their hands.
I don't think so, as you probably know from bitter experience, green ink is reserved for auditors going through the books of failing companies.
That appears to be singularly your belief. So it seems you are in need of the education in even more areas than I thought previously, or perhaps you should seek advice from one of the local quacks, though perhaps not one of the Hope Street Mafia. http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-gre5.htm