Duke of York Square

Context and Evolution

Duke of York Square is a significant historic square in Liverpool, originally established in the 19th century as a merchant’s square with substantial warehouses that reflected the city’s maritime and trading heritage. Over time, the square’s character has evolved, and the warehouses on the north side have seen decline as the city's commercial and industrial landscape changed. The redevelopment of the north side warehouse as a mixed-use anchor building is a key opportunity to stabilize the area’s character and reclaim the square for pedestrians and the public.

The Anchor Building

The redevelopment of the warehouse on the north side of the square is a central component of the planning proposal. Instead of a standalone new build, the project redevelops the existing warehouse structure to create a mixed-use anchor building that sits within the historic fabric of the square. This approach acknowledges the building’s heritage while giving it a new life and a clear role in the revitalised square.

Architecture and Materials

The architecture of the anchor building is a deliberate dialogue between old and new. The new facade uses brickwork that respects the historic context of the square, with a material palette that complements the neighbouring buildings rather than attempting a pastiche of the historic warehouses. The scale of the new facade is also carefully considered, breaking down the building's mass into a series of bays and fenestrations that relate to the traditional warehouse architecture while expressing its modern function.

Mixed-Use Program

The anchor building has a diverse mixed-use program designed to activate the building throughout the day and week:

Offices: High-quality office space on the upper floors to support local employment and commerce.
Residential: Apartments that contribute to the residential stock of the city centre.
Retail and Café: A ground-floor café and retail unit that provides a permanent public anchor and creates a lively pedestrian destination at the edge of the square.

Urban Impact and Planning

The redevelopment has a significant positive impact on the square and the surrounding area:

Pedestrianisation: By reclaiming the north side of the square and creating a pedestrian-friendly frontage, the project makes the square a safer and more inviting public space.
Public Anchor: The ground-floor café and retail provide a permanent public anchor that activates the square and draws people in.
Stabilisation: The redevelopment of the declining warehouse stabilises the area’s character and sets a precedent for further investment in the square.
Planning Context: The project is underpinned by the Duke of York Square planning application, which seeks to deliver a high-quality mixed-use building that enhances the historic fabric of the square.