Liverpool's £1.2bn skyscraper gamble

This video explores Liverpool's incredible, ambitious £1.2bn 'Kings' development, which will bring the city's new tallest building (70 storeys, 222m) as well as nine other massive buildings that promise to expand Liverpool's city centre northwards and introduce a dramatic new element to Liverpool's already-impressive skyline. It's a continuation of the ambitious plans for 'Liverpool Waters', which promises to regenerate this entire area. It's already started with Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, and I can see a future where Liverpool's city centre extends up this way, reaching into those old docks to create some world-class waterfront urbanism. What I like the most about this scheme is that it's built on a raised podium, underneath which all the car parking and servicing for the development will be situated. That leaves the spaces in between these buildings to be totally pedestrianised - achieved through a network of parks, squares and streets for everyone to use. Each building is built on a podium building - straight out of 'Vancouverism' - an architectural-urbanist style borne out of Vancouver in the 1970s/80s which mandated that all skyscrapers be built above a plinth. This helps anchor the buildings to the street, and in Liverpool they've used this concept to create some tight, narrow, and cosy streets around the buildings - reducing that 'windswept' feeling you often get around skyscrapers like this. Another thing I love is that these podiums have been designed to look a bit like Victorian heritage railway arches - a nod to the city's heritage while also providing space for businesses and retail and providing some active frontage. The architecture clearly pulls from the Liverpool vernacular. Red brick and stone is a heavy influence - red brick being a dominant style in Liverpool's cityscape as it's the local stone in England's north west. Comment your thoughts below, I'm really excited to read your stories and thoughts. Thank you to all my subscribers, commenters and Patreon/Buy me a Coffee supporters for making this channel possible. Please consider supporting me via the links below if you'd like! I've loved seeing your messages of support. And don't forget to suggest some ideas for future videos: buymeacoffee.com/CityEd patreon.com/CityEd I'm also on LinkedIn and BlueSky now too - follow me on those to never miss out on new videos! LinkedIn:   / cityedyt   Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cityedyt.bsk... #liverpool #urbanism #development #property #uk #unitedkingdom #planning #architecture #regeneration #everton #liverpoolwaters #urbanregeneration #ukproperty #liverpoolarchitecture #evertonstadium