We were instructed by our client to gain planning permission to transform a former commercial space in Liverpool into a stylish new city centre accommodation scheme.
The Chicago Buildings on Whitechapel had been vacant since Blacks’ Liverpool store surrendered its lease in May 2019. Our design for the scheme focused on converting approximately 17,000 sq ft space into 24 self-contained apartments, comprising five studio, twelve one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom apartments across four floors, all located around an existing atrium.
Situated in the heart of the city’s retail quarter and bordering the heritage area of Matthew Street and Castle Street conservation area, the design focused on internal refurbishments, aiming to retain the existing façade of the building to maintain its heritage and preserve the area’s character and appearance.
Planning was approved in February 2021 and Studio 256 was instructed to create the tender and interior design packs, as well as undertaking the strip-out phase of the building, which began in August 2021.
Great efforts have been made to maintain the architectural quality inside the building, exposing unique features such as red brick walls, original arch windows and steel columns. Our design also includes plans to transform the existing atrium space, once containing a large climbing wall, which was a well-known feature of the former Blacks’ store, into a striking synthetic ‘living wall’, to create a vibrant gathering space for future tenants.
The retail units on the current ground floor of the scheme - Holland & Barrett and Wong’s Jewellers - will remain and access into the apartments will be via existing entrances off Whitechapel and Stanley Street. The plans also feature a new staircase at the Whitechapel entrance and an accessible entrance and lift to a new resident’s gym on the lower ground floor.
Throughout the project we have worked closely with our client, Sara and Hossein Asset Holdings, and the design team to ensure the best possible solution for our client and future residents of the building. This included a full walk-through, where we came together to tape out each unit and ensure the most was being made of the space available. Using this approach, we identified opportunities to minimise some circulation areas so that living space could be maximised.
Tender and interior design packs are currently being collated and construction is expected to begin in late 2022.
