Graham has been appointed to construct the first residential tower at the £1.2bn Kings waterfront development in Liverpool, marking a significant step forward for one of the city’s largest regeneration projects.
The contractor has secured the tender for No.1 Kings, a 28-storey residential building that will act as the first phase of the wider development. The appointment follows the completion of demolition and site clearance by Metropolitan Demolition, allowing construction preparations to move forward.
The £80m scheme will provide 255 homes for rent, supported by a range of facilities designed to create a residential community within the waterfront development. The building will incorporate ground-floor retail accommodation, first-floor amenities for residents and rooftop social spaces, with an emphasis on providing facilities beyond the individual apartments.
Hugh Frost, Chairman of developer Beetham Davos Limited, said: “We’ve fired the starting gun and continue to push on with the Kings development in the background.
“The tower is fully-funded by the project’s shareholders, so the market can see confidence in the vision. No.1 Kings will raise the bar as far as design, fit-out and amenities go. Its delivery will underpin our discussions with end-users for the Kings development and be a catalyst for wider redevelopment.
“It’s great to have the Graham team on board, who impressed us with their commitment and their enthusiasm to be part of the transformational redevelopment Kings represents.”
For Graham, the appointment provides an opportunity to apply its experience in high-rise residential construction and the build-to-rent sector to a major project in a city where it has an established presence.
Peter Reavey, Regional Director for Graham, said: “Kings is the largest single regeneration project outside London and there’s no doubt it will be a game-changer for Liverpool’s economy.
“We’re delighted to once again have the opportunity to demonstrate our high rise, build to rent capabilities in the city and are now busy mobilising to meet the client’s timescales.”
No.1 Kings is intended to establish the architectural and residential standards for the wider scheme, while also providing a tangible starting point for the development’s longer-term ambitions. Its completion will help demonstrate the quality of accommodation and resident facilities planned for the site, as well as support the developer’s engagement with potential occupiers and commercial partners.
The wider Kings masterplan envisages nine buildings of varying heights and uses, creating a substantial mixed-use destination along Liverpool’s waterfront. The proposals range from the 28-storey No.1 Kings to a five-star hotel and residential development that could reach 70 storeys, subject to planning consent.
The scale of the proposals reflects the ambition to create a new waterfront district incorporating residential accommodation, hospitality, commercial opportunities and public spaces. Rather than being a standalone residential project, No.1 Kings forms part of a broader programme intended to bring new activity and investment to the area.
The design and planning team brings together a number of established practices and consultants. Brock Carmichael is responsible for the Kings masterplan, while SimpsonHaugh is designing the proposed 70-storey centrepiece. Pegasus Group is providing planning, economics, heritage and environmental impact assessment services, with Planit leading the public realm design. WSP is advising on highways.
Graham’s appointment and the completion of demolition represent important milestones in taking the first building from masterplan proposals towards construction. As the initial tower, No.1 Kings will provide an early indication of how the wider development will take shape, with its delivery expected to play a central role in establishing momentum for the remaining phases.
With a £1.2bn programme planned across nine buildings, Kings represents a major investment in Liverpool’s future waterfront. The first tower will provide the foundation for that ambition, introducing new homes and resident facilities while helping to establish the wider development’s identity.
