Grosvenor unveils shape of shopping to come
22 Aug 2006
THE stunning look of the main shopping street within the £920m Grosvenor Paradise Project is revealed for the first time today.
THE stunning look of the main shopping street within the £920m Grosvenor Paradise Project is revealed for the first time today.
A computer-generated graphic shows the appearance of South John Street when the development is completed in 2008.
The infrastructure of the two-level parade of shops is well under way as contractors forge ahead on the showpiece development.
South John Street was previously off the beaten track, sandwiched between the old Chavasse Park and the rear of the now demolished Moat House Hotel and the old Paradise Street Bus station.
It was used as a short cut for people going to Lord Street from the Albert Dock.
In its new life, it will be a hectic area of shops and businesses, in a street with the new John Lewis store at one end, and Debenhams at the other.
With more than 55% of the retail properties already reserved in what is being marketed as the Liverpool One development, Grosvenor will have no trouble finding occupants for space in Europe's biggest retail development.
Visitors to the recent topping out parade on the roof of the John Lewis store had a bird's eye view of the new shopping street unfolding in front of them.
The Grosvenor Project is now more than half complete and is on target for opening during the first half of 2008 when Liverpool becomes European Capital of Culture.
The million square feet of extra retail and leisure space in the city centre is expected to attract thousands of new visitors to Liverpool, not only from across the North West, but farther afield, thanks to economy flights from Europe to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Grosvenor's project director, Rodney Holmes, said: "South John Street will provide exciting shops on two levels, a new heart for the city.
"Flanked at either end by the new John Lewis store and Debenhams, this two-level shopping street will create a very strong retail pitch, which will attract typical high street retailers.
"This will be the heart of the new shopping area, with two levels of shops at upper and lower levels, similar to what is seen in the city of Rotterdam. South John Street will become a very exciting space, with vertical movement linking it to the new Chavasse Park and the nearby leisure facilities."
Although open to fresh air and daylight, the canopies along South John Street will provide shelter from the elements."
City council leader, Cllr Warren Bradley, was impressed when he viewed the street's emerging new look.
He said: "The Paradise project is helping transform the heart of Liverpool which will make it one of the premier retail and leisure destinations not only in the UK but in Europe by the time we are Capital of Culture in 2008."
LARRY NEILD - DAILY POST -
larryneild@dailypost.co.uk
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