URBAN FORM
Three storeys of retail with cinema above on three levels. This is the largest block in the development and is bisected east-west by a high level, second floor route linking the end of College Lane to the Pool area in the west. An axial relationship to the Albert Dock is created from the centre of the space collecting the College Lane axis, thus giving a point in the centre of the site where it is possible to view simultaneously the Albert Dock and the Rope Walks. A further link at second floor level is created to the north.
To the west a colonnaded wall up to the second floor faces South John Street. Above this, the grand ellipse of the Park is expressed on the west facade and is topped by a glass canopy to tie it in with those on sites 15 and 10. The segmental terrace thus created can be used by restaurants or as an ancillary event space. On the east a more solid form is presented to Paradise Street.
A dramatic movement slot in the Paradise Street frontage, on the axis of College Lane, gives leisure access to the upper level. A dedicated lift serves leisure from parking levels 3.0 and -0.5.
USES
Second floor - a 14 screen cinema.
First floor - Upper levels of retail. Retail on west directly accessed from upper level covered walkways along South John Street, so there are separate retail units on this level, storey height allows for possible mezzanine units.
Ground floor - Retail units primarily fronting onto South John Street (single level units) and Paradise Street (double levels units). Grosvenor's management suite serving the whole of Liverpool One.
Basement - Servicing from a large underground service area plus car parking for 2500 spaces.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
A high level bridge connects to site 13B in Thomas' Lane serving the cinema.
A colonnade and escalators, with weather protection and provision for night-time closing, to be integrated into the South John Street elevation. A grand stair to be integrated into the south elevation.
MATERIALS
This site spans two of the development quarters and thus needs subtly varied treatment between the two. Nevertheless the palette is based primarily on the Paradise Street Portland Stone theme. The structure is framed and contains a high proportion of glass on the lower two levels. The variations in form at the second floor level give scope for it to express different material treatments on different facades with limestone cladding plus white and grey strata bands to Paradise Street elevation, and reconstituted stone to Thomas' Lane elevation, including elements of steel or aluminium panelling glass or metal screens and render.