Liverpool's Pall Mall Urban Park Project Seeks Public-Sector Support for Delivery
The creation of an urban park as part of Liverpool's first Grade A office building scheme in over 15 years will require public-sector intervention to become a reality. This initiative, centered around a new eight-storey office development at Pall Mall, is being separated from the wider project due to financial viability concerns.
Funding and Development Details
Approximately £2.47 million in section 106 (S106) funds, collected from various city centre development projects, will be redirected to support eligible public realm works. These include The Lawns, Terraced Gardens, and Bixteth Walk. The total cost of the entire scheme is projected to reach £60 million.
A comprehensive business case analysis revealed that market conditions, abnormal costs, and viability constraints necessitate public-sector involvement. Consequently, the public realm component will be funded separately through S106 contributions, a strategy that Liverpool City Council believes will facilitate the overall project's success.
Site History and Timeline
The council-owned site, located off Bixteth Street, underwent remediation in 2020 but has remained inactive since then. Previous plans for large office buildings and a hotel stalled, leaving the area dormant. Current projections indicate that construction could commence in the final quarter of this year, with an anticipated completion date in 2028.
Kier Property Developments Ltd is leading the scheme, with the initial phase of green space being privately owned yet accessible to the public. Pall Mall is recognized as a long-standing strategic regeneration site within Liverpool's commercial business district, bordered by Pall Mall, Bixteth Street, and Exchange Station.
Project Scope and Strategic Importance
The broader masterplan aims to deliver up to 400,000 square feet of Grade A office space, a hotel, and supporting amenities, all centered around new green public areas. This development is prioritized under the council's Strategic Futures Programme and aligns with the Liverpool City Region's Grade A office growth agenda.
If realized, this would mark the first project of its kind in Liverpool in nearly two decades. The full business case confirms that public-sector intervention is essential to address market challenges and ensure feasibility.
Accessibility and Maintenance Plans
The central gardens are designed to be open to the public 24 hours a day, with maintenance managed by a dedicated company. A structured maintenance regime will be implemented to keep the public realm safe, attractive, and well-maintained. This includes regular landscaping, cleaning, lighting, repairs, and material renewals as needed.
Funding for ongoing maintenance will come from service charge contributions. According to the local authority, this approach ensures no ongoing revenue liability for Liverpool Council while guaranteeing unrestricted public access in perpetuity.
