[FIRST LOOK] Construction has begun on Formroom Architects’ extra-care housing scheme at Prescot in Merseyside
The 26,300m2 site, which was once a working watch factory, will be redeveloped to include 56 apartments and 16 bungalows.
The Grade II-listed factory building will be converted and a new extension added creating two glazed wings.
The watchmaking factory, originally the headquarters of the Lancashire Watch Company, was built in 1889 and closed in 1910. Since its closure it has been used as a barracks, a print works, and offices.
The £10 million scheme for Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) and Liverpool based developer Iliad Group, forms the first phase of an extra care development where people will be able to live independently with varying levels of care and support on site.
Tim Groom, director, Formroom Architects said: ‘It has been wonderful to work with such a fantastic building.
‘The factory has a striking modernist partly glazed facade which we are completely overhauling. The new build extension will frame a central courtyard with the bungalows enclosing the eastern boundary of the site providing access to the courtyard and facilities within the main building.
‘This layered approach allows permeability through the site between accommodation types and allows for social interaction through both the built facilities and landscaped areas.’
The second phase of the scheme will create a further 62 new homes and work will begun on these once phase one has completed in spring 2016.
Project data
Location Prescot, Merseyside
Type of project extra care and residential
Client Iliad Group & Knowsley Housing Trust
Architect Formroom Architects
Landscape Planit IE
Planning consultant TPS
Structural engineer Edge Consulting
M&E consultant PSD
Quantity surveyor Jon Bird Associates
Planning supervisor Rawlings
Main contractor Harbur Construction
Funding HA Funding
Start on site date March 2015
Completion date May 2016
Contract duration 15 months
Gross internal floor area 7,000m² (phase 1)
Form of contract and/or procurement JCT Design & Build
Total cost £10 million
Specific environmental targets BREEAM Very Good
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