Large areas of inner-city wasteland that lay derelict for decades have been given a new lease of life under a pioneering home-building project.
Seven sites in Liverpool are being transformed into desirable residential areas with luxury high-rise apartment blocks. Property giant Legacie is investing £500 million in the next four years as the leading force in a regeneration scheme.
It includes the flagship £90 million Parliament Square, a swish development with a magnificent rooftop terrace, spa, gym and swimming pool.
A 200-year-old rice mill where once the rice for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies was ground has been restored along with a four-star hotel, shops and four new residential blocks.
The land lay derelict for nearly 20 years until Legacie brought forward an exciting scheme to deliver 620 apartments, complete with state-of-the-art underground spa.
The homes are attracting first-time buyers from outside Liverpool because they are more affordable than in other areas. It follows reports that Liverpool’s population began to increase after a period of decline in the 1980s and 1990s.
Legacie’s chief executive John Morley said: “There is a sense of optimism about the future direction of Liverpool and I am proud that we are playing a significant part in that.
“Our most flagship schemes are being delivered in areas that in many cases stood as wasteland for decades. Now we are delivering quality homes that are driving regeneration and economic prosperity.
“There are one or two sites such as Element The Quarter, on which we partnered with Nexus Residential, to step in and finish the job. We did that and now it is a great complex for students. We’re passionate about delivering projects the city can be proud of.”
Developers say the programme is helping to re-establish Liverpool’s status as the “Northern powerhouse” city.
Another major Legacie project is The Gateway scheme, a 656-unit development to be completed by 2026 which includes four skyscrapers and creates 250 jobs.
Legacie has been praised for its work in employing prison leavers on rehabilitation programmes on its sites, in a Ministry of Justice-backed scheme. So far the company has worked with 50 ex-offenders, some from Thorn Cross prison, near Warrington.
Tory peer Lord Polak, who advises the company, said: “Getting ex-prisoners into steady employment significantly reduces the chances of reoffending. Integrating former prisoners into the workplace contributes to a better society and can play a crucial role in boosting the economy, too.”
