Mann Island Buildings

Mann Island Buildings
Mann Island Building 3 seen from The Strand
General information
Location	Mann Island, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
Construction started	2008
Estimated completion	2011
Height
Roof	Building 3 60.0 m (197 ft) Building 2 50.4 m (165 ft) Building 1 49.4 m (162 ft)
Technical details
Floor count	13
Design and construction
Main contractor	BAM
Architect	Broadway Malyan
Developer	Countryside Properties, Neptune Developments

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.^[1]

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 Grace'. Three proposals were submitted, all of which received criticism for their appearance and contrast to the city's famed historic skyline.^[2]

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.^[2] The building would have contained some 500 apartments alongside a 100 room 5* hotel.^[2] 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'.^[3] Another ambitious design came from architect firm Alsop who submitted the 'Fourth Grace Towers', a Zoomorphic style 118.50 m (389 ft) tall building.^[4]

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.^[5]

The project

Construction of the buildings, which are similar in height to the nearby Port of Liverpool Building, Cunard Building 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.^[6] Once completed, the Mann Island Buildings will be home to 376 apartments (a mix of one, two and three bedroom), 75,000 sq ft (7,000 m²) of retail/leisure units, 114,000 sq ft (10,600 m²) of net office space and 20,000 sq ft (1,900 m²) of covered space.^[6][7]

Gallery

• 

  Reflection of the Port of Liverpool Building in Mann Island

• 

  Structural cores of Building 3 exposed during construction

• 

  The framework of building 2

• 

  Buildings 2 and 3 with a largely complete exterior

See also

• Fourth Grace
• List of tallest buildings and structures in Liverpool

References

1. ^ "Mann Island Buildings". Skyscrapernews. http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=4873. Retrieved 2010-03-27. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "Fourth Grace Foster". Skyscrapernews. http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=733. Retrieved 2010-03-27. 
3. ^ "Fourth Grace 1 Cullinan". Skyscrapernews. http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=828. Retrieved 2010-03-27. 
4. ^ "Fourth Grace Tower 1". Skyscrapernews. http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=693. Retrieved 2010-03-27. 
5. ^ "Final hurdle for Mann Island development". BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/07/25/mann_island_resubmittedplans_feature.shtml. Retrieved 2010-03-27. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Mann Island, Liverpool : Information + Image". e-architect. http://www.e-architect.co.uk/liverpool/mann_island_liverpool.htm. Retrieved 2010-03-27. 
7. ^ http://www.mannislanddevelopments.com/sales.html