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Downing continues revival of landmark Liverpool building with start of external refurbishment

Developer and property manager Downing is set to start the next phase of the revival of one of Liverpool’s most prominent business buildings.

The landmark No.1 Old Hall Street, opposite Moorfields train station, is continuing to undergo a major internal and external transformation programme. Work will now focus on the exterior of the building, which is due to begin week commencing Monday, September 6th 2021 along with the provision of further Grade A office space, in a combined investment of £3.5M.

Planning approval was secured in July and contracts have since been placed for the provision of new cladding and windows to all upper floors and elevations, along with new double height glazing to the ground and upper ground floors.

Following the recently agreed re-location of the Chamber of Commerce to alternative accommodation, the now vacated 4,200 ft² suite will be refurbished to Grade A standard, with direct access off reception and benefitting from the new double height, feature glazing.

Work is expected to complete in April 2022 with the building’s three ground floor shop tenants, Pret-A-Manger, Out to Lunch and JW Newsagents all remaining open throughout.

Previous phases have seen a full roof replacement, a power upgrade, the completion of a new building entrance and reception area, breakout areas and meeting spaces, as well as providing 10,100 sq ft of Grade A space on the fifth floor and additional flexi-office suites.

John Clegg, head of property management at Downing, said it’s another key milestone in bringing more than 26,000 sq ft of first-class office space to the area: “No.1 Old Hall Street is inarguably the best located building in Liverpool’s commercial business district, being right on the junction of the old and the new with great connectivity and proximity to the city’s retail centre and the waterfront.

“However, it’s probably fair to say that in recent years its appearance has not quite lived up to its prime position

“A lot of the internal work has now been completed and the space we have tackled is Grade A with more to follow. Now we have secured planning approval we are wasting no time addressing the external appearance of the building. We are receiving a lot of interest already particularly around the bigger suites and we expect that interest to grow as potential new occupiers see the works crystalise, over a relatively short period of time.

“Meanwhile we are also seeing a resurgence in demand for our flexi office suites which are proving very popular as Covid-19 restrictions have been eased with an increase in businesses looking for safe, convenient, well-ventilated, competitively priced ready-made spaces. Our contractor selection process focussed heavily on their unique approach to working in live, multi-occupied buildings, so it will be business as usual for our existing office occupiers.

“We are delighted with how the project’s phases have progressed so far, in spite of difficult circumstances, and when all the work is complete, No.1 Old Hall Street will undoubtedly live up to its name once more.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Harriet Logan .