Lime Street

The eastern side of Lime Street in Liverpool is being redeveloped with a £39 million project. The new buildings will be for mixed use and include commercial, retail and leisure. ISG and ION Development are working on this significant project which will include 3,000m² of retail units, 33-meter-tall student accommodation comprising of 412-student bedrooms across 11 stories, and a brand new 101-bedroom Premier Inn with restaurant.

Billington Structures are providing over 1,300 tonnes of structural steelwork to the logistically difficult site which is flanked by two Grade II listed pubs. The work will initially involve clearing several run-down buildings in the city centre before construction can begin on the hotel and student accommodation. The busy city centre location necessitated tight planning and a programme schedule, plus contractor engagement throughout.

The steel frame installed by Billington Structures went through a number of design challenges, particularly due to the retail units on the ground floor level. A number of different materials were considered for the frame including concrete, timber, and lightweight steel. ISG worked closely with structural engineer Sutcliffe and Billington Structures on the final frame design.

The steel frame structure of the new building will be clad with composite insulated panels and finished with perforated aluminium panels, similar to those used at Liverpool’s Everyman theatre. The goal is to have images from Liverpool’s history displayed on the building’s façade.

The Lime Street area of Liverpool has needed renovating for some time and this development scheme could be the catalyst that brings more investment to the area. It represents the first phase in the Knowledge Quarter masterplan, a significant regional project that will enhance the character of this important gateway into the city of Liverpool.