Oct 12 2005
Construction work on the £146m Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre at Kings Waterfront, Liverpool City Centre started yesterday.
Over the next two years contractors Bovis Lend Lease will construct a 9,500 capacity arena, a 1,350-seat conference centre, a public piazza – able to accommodate outdoor events - and a 1,600 space multi-storey car park.
Co-ordinated by city centre Urban Regeneration Company, Liverpool Vision and funded by English Partnerships, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Liverpool City Council, the Merseyside Objective One Programme, Kings Waterfront covers over 14 ha at the southern end of the city’s Albert Dock. At a launch ceremony on site today the designers of the scheme, twice Stirling Prize-winning architects Wilkinson Eyre, revealed for the first time images of the interior of the state-of-the-art arena and convention centre.
Wilkinson Eyre Architects’ design incorporates the development’s varied functions as a single complex of two unified forms, creating a contemporary landmark on Liverpool’s historic waterfront. The two forms, one housing the arena and the other the conference and exhibition centre, are joined by a central, glazed ‘galleria’, forming a common circulation space. From Birkenhead, the composition of these two sculpted forms, pivoted about the central galleria, resembles a pair of graceful outstretched arms or ‘wings’, spanning Liverpool’s famous Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals. The development incorporates a series of exciting new public spaces, rich in art and activity, providing improved access to the waterfront and strengthening connectivity to other nearby attractions.
Chris Wilkinson of Wilkinson Eyre said, “I am delighted to see this exciting design progress through into construction – it’s a project very close to our hearts.”
Sir Joe Dwyer Chairman of Liverpool Vision, said, "Today’s construction start on the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre is an important milestone in the City’s longstanding ambition to create a visitor destination of international quality on the waterfront. It is the result of sustained work by the public and private sector partners since 2003.” Eliot Lewis-Ward, English Partnerships’ area director said, “English Partnerships is investing £68m in Kings Waterfront. This start on site for the arena, coupled with our infrastructure works that are underway, is another milestone achieved and another step closer to what will be a fantastic asset for Liverpool.”
Steven Broomhead, NWDA Chief Executive, said, “The Kings Dock development forms an integral part of Liverpool’s ongoing renaissance. The new arena and convention centre, which will be capable of holding major international events, will help to transform Liverpool into a world-class visitor destination for the European Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008. Today’s start of construction follows a culmination of work by scheme partners who are dedicated to bringing this flagship project to fruition.”
Councillor Mike Storey, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said, "When the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre is built, the city will have the newest, best and most up-to-date facilities in the country. We are delivering on our promise to create a world-class arena and convention centre in a stunning setting. It will be a lynchpin for our celebrations during European Capital of Culture year in 2008."
Director of the Merseyside Objective One programme Richard Nutter said, "Kings Waterfront has attracted the largest single investment from the Objective One programme and will provide a lasting legacy for the whole of Merseyside. As people see it taking shape over the coming months they will have good reason to be excited; it will become a real focal point for the cultural and business life of Merseyside, bringing huge economic benefits to the region."
“We want this project to make its mark on the community, not just as a wonderful attraction for Liverpool but as a new source of employment and inspiration for the city,” said Bovis Lend Lease President Sir Frank Lampl. “Wherever we work, it is our policy to recruit local people and companies whenever practical and that’s our ambition at King’s Waterfront - to support the local economy by creating more employment and long term opportunities in our industry.”
Also launched is the Kings Waterfront website covering various aspects of the development. The page can be viewed at www.kingswaterfrontliverpool.co.uk