Mann Island Buildings
Encyclopedia
The Mann Island Buildings are a group of buildings in Liverpool
, England
currently under construction.
They comprise three international style
mixed use buildings on Mann Island
, which lies on the waterfront between the Port of Liverpool Building
and the Albert Dock
.
'.
Three proposals were submitted, all of which received criticism for their appearance and contrast to the city's famed historic skyline.
What was seen as one of the most likely developments for the site was named the 'Fourth Grace Foster' (named after architects Foster and Partners
), at 145 m (476 ft) tall it would have completely overshadowed the Three Graces. The building would have contained some 500 apartments alongside a 100 room 5* hotel.
A number of other proposals around the theme of becoming the city's 'Fourth Grace' were also drawn up. Edward Cullinan Architects proposed a 135 m (443 ft) tall mixed use building - entitled 'Fourth Grace 1 Cullinan'.
Another ambitious design came from architect firm Alsop
who submitted the 'Fourth Grace Towers', a Zoomorphic style 118.5 m (389 ft) tall building.
The work of Alsop Architects was chosen to become the 'Fourth Grace', however, it was beset with difficulties, and was cancelled in 2004 due to spiralling costs. It was only after all of these ideas were scrapped when the £120 million Mann Island Development was chosen to become the new complex to occupy the site.
and Royal Liver Building
began in 2008 during Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture
(when regeneration within the city centre was at its peak). At the same time, work also began on a close neighbour to the Mann Island development - the new Museum of Liverpool
(not to be confused with World Museum Liverpool
). Although each building will eventually vary in height and usage, all will consists of 13 storeys. Once completed, the Mann Island Buildings will be home to 376 apartments (a mix of one, two and three bedroom), 75000 sq ft (6,967.7 m²) of retail/leisure units, 114000 sq ft (10,590.9 m²) of net office space and 20000 sq ft (1,858.1 m²) of covered space.
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
currently under construction.
They comprise three international style
International style (architecture)
The International style is a major architectural style that emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, the formative decades of Modern architecture. The term originated from the name of a book by Henry-Russell Hitchcock and Philip Johnson, The International Style...
mixed use buildings on Mann Island
Mann Island
Mann Island is a small area in Liverpool, England.It lies on the waterfront next to the River Mersey between the Albert Dock to the south and the Pier Head to the north.-History:...
, which lies on the waterfront between the Port of Liverpool Building
Port of Liverpool Building
The Port of Liverpool Building , is a Grade II* listed building located in Liverpool, England. It is sited at the Pier Head and along with the neighbouring Liver Building and Cunard Building is one of Liverpool's "Three Graces", which line the city's waterfront...
and the Albert Dock
Albert Dock
The Albert Dock is a complex of dock buildings and warehouses in Liverpool, England. Designed by Jesse Hartley and Philip Hardwick, it was opened in 1846, and was the first structure in Britain to be built from cast iron, brick and stone, with no structural wood...
.
Background
Formerly rundown warehouses and dock buildings, the site directly between two of Liverpool's most historic buildings was heavily investigated before numerous proposals for new builds were submitted as part of a competition to create a 'Fourth GraceFourth Grace
The Fourth Grace was a planned development to be built on the Liverpool Pier Head, as a part of the Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008 bid.The winning entry, named "The Cloud", was designed by the architect Will Alsop....
'.
Three proposals were submitted, all of which received criticism for their appearance and contrast to the city's famed historic skyline.
What was seen as one of the most likely developments for the site was named the 'Fourth Grace Foster' (named after architects Foster and Partners
Foster and Partners
Foster + Partners is an architectural firm based in London. The practice is led by its founder and Chairman, Norman Foster, and has constructed many high-profile glass-and-steel buildings....
), at 145 m (476 ft) tall it would have completely overshadowed the Three Graces. The building would have contained some 500 apartments alongside a 100 room 5* hotel.
A number of other proposals around the theme of becoming the city's 'Fourth Grace' were also drawn up. Edward Cullinan Architects proposed a 135 m (443 ft) tall mixed use building - entitled 'Fourth Grace 1 Cullinan'.
Another ambitious design came from architect firm Alsop
Will Alsop
Will Allen Alsop, OBE RA is a British architect based in London. He is responsible for several distinctive and controversial modernist buildings, most in the United Kingdom. Alsop's buildings are usually distinguished by their use of bright colour and unusual forms...
who submitted the 'Fourth Grace Towers', a Zoomorphic style 118.5 m (389 ft) tall building.
The work of Alsop Architects was chosen to become the 'Fourth Grace', however, it was beset with difficulties, and was cancelled in 2004 due to spiralling costs. It was only after all of these ideas were scrapped when the £120 million Mann Island Development was chosen to become the new complex to occupy the site.
The project
Construction of the buildings, which are similar in height to the nearby Port of Liverpool Building, Cunard BuildingCunard Building
The Cunard Building is a Grade II* listed building located in Liverpool, England. It is sited at the Pier Head and along with the neighbouring Liver Building and Port of Liverpool Building is one of Liverpool's Three Graces, which line the city's waterfront...
and Royal Liver Building
Royal Liver Building
The Royal Liver Building is a Grade I listed building located in Liverpool, England. It is sited at the Pier Head and along with the neighbouring Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building is one of Liverpool's Three Graces, which line the city's waterfront...
began in 2008 during Liverpool's year as European Capital of Culture
European Capital of Culture
The European Capital of Culture is a city designated by theEuropean Union for a period of one calendar year during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong European dimension....
(when regeneration within the city centre was at its peak). At the same time, work also began on a close neighbour to the Mann Island development - the new Museum of Liverpool
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool in Liverpool, England, opened on 19 July 2011 and is part of the National Museums Liverpool group....
(not to be confused with World Museum Liverpool
World Museum Liverpool
World Museum is a large museum in Liverpool, England which has extensive collections covering archaeology, ethnology and the natural and physical sciences. Special attractions include the Natural History Centre and a free Planetarium. Entry to the museum itself is also free...
). Although each building will eventually vary in height and usage, all will consists of 13 storeys. Once completed, the Mann Island Buildings will be home to 376 apartments (a mix of one, two and three bedroom), 75000 sq ft (6,967.7 m²) of retail/leisure units, 114000 sq ft (10,590.9 m²) of net office space and 20000 sq ft (1,858.1 m²) of covered space.