Nearly 3 years after buying the site Packaged Living and Affinius Capital have finally received planning permission for their new Build to Rent scheme in Liverpool City Centre. The proposals comprise two towers, 19 and 25 storeys, and includes a total of 434 apartments. The original proposal for the site was by Hodder & Partners and included two towers, Ovatus 1 and Ovatus 2, which never came to fruition before the site was bought by Packaged/Affinius in 2022.
The new design by Liverpool based Falconer Chester Hall obtained permission from Liverpool City planning committee today with construction expected to commence in early 2027, following the demolition of the existing computer data centre that occupies the site. The proposals include a mixture of one, two and three bed apartments as well as the usual BTR amenities, a gym, multiple lounges, co-working area and a rooftop terrace. There will only be a total of 7 car parking spaces at the scheme highlighting the challenges of providing more parking spaces from a viability viewpoint.
The granting on planning permission for the scheme is an important continuation of Build to Rent developments in the city at a time when many commentators are questioning the viability of such schemes with an increase in build costs, difficulties with the Building Safety Regulator and a worsening economy. Given the location of the scheme, however, we expect it to become one of the most popular schemes in the city when it is finally delivered in 2029.
More details of the scheme together with comments from the developer and architect can be found from the Place Northwest article here
