Foster and Partners, Urban Splash and the Royal Bank of Scotland will present the Liverpool Ark, the teams proposal for the Fourth Grace at the Walker Gallery, Liverpool from Tuesday 12 to Friday 17 November 2002.
This iconic development will dramatically enhance Liverpools world-famous waterfront and complement the Three Graces, making a key contribution to the regeneration of the Pier Head district. Our goal is to deliver an economically sustainable and vibrant new district, as part of a well-connected urban masterplan for the Pier Head. We recognise that urban design is the social, cultural, economic and physical representation of diverse needs. The architecture of our cities must take account of its social responsibilities, both for people who live and work there as well as those who visit; this must be reflected in high quality environments and inspirational design.
The planned redevelopment has five major components: a world-class museum on the waterfront; a mixed-use building incorporating a hotel, offices and apartments; the Strand Tower a tall apartment building; a new theatre complex; and a covered public space or Wintergarden for staging events, such as music, theatre, dance, art, exhibitions and product launches. This open space maintains good visual and physical links between Pier Head and Albert Dock, whilst providing shelter from wind and rain. A vibrant mix of commercial and cultural activities supported by improved public transport will enable this unique and exciting vision to become a reality.
Locating the museum on the riverside will help to draw people back to the Mersey, creating benefits for the whole quayside. The wintergarden will create a soaring civic space of international quality that will complement the adjacent cultural and commercial activities. The upper levels of the building will include a series of accessible landscaped tiered roof terraces, protected from the weather under the large roof canopy, where restaurants, leisure facilities and gardens will overlook Pier Head, Canning Dock and offer spectacular views across the River Mersey.
Ken Shuttleworth, Partner in charge, commented: "Combining visionary new buildings and dynamic public spaces with facilities for work, living and leisure, the development will bring life, visitors and vitality to the Pier Head round the clock. With improved public transport services, the Fourth Grace development will create a world-class facility for Liverpool."
Facts and Figures
Client: Liverpool Vision
Developer: Urban Splash, Royal Bank of Scotland
Architect: Foster + Partners
Competition: Launch March 2002
Site Area: 2.5 hectares, 6.18 acres
Area Gross: 142,000m2
Number of buildings: 5
Incorporating: a museum; two theatres, a covered public space (the Wintergarden); a hotel, offices; residential apartments (including residential tower); restaurants, shops and leisure retail; parking for 1,400 cars.
