Plans for a £1 billion extension to Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter are underway with the appointment of Morgan Sindall to its development.
Liverpool City Council have chosen the construction and infrastructure firm to deliver two project as part of its Paddington Village scheme.
The plans will see the 30-acre site, located just off Smithdown Lane developed into three plots; Paddington North, Paddington Central and Paddington South.
Morgan Sindall’s first phase of work, worth around £12 million, will begin in summer 2017 and involve the installation of infrastructure, creation of public realm across the predominantly brownfield site and the creation of development plots to make them market-ready.
A second phase is set to see the firm design and build a new £35 million ‘Northern Centre of Excellence’ for the Royal College of Physicians.
The college is expected to take almost half of the available 140,000 sq ft state-of-the-art space, and work with the city council to find other associated institutions and life science businesses to let the remainder.
Pre-construction has already started, with the building due to handover in late 2019.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said: “The Knowledge Quarter has the potential to redefine Liverpool’s economy – the ambition, the scale and the scope is that far reaching.
“Paddington Village is creating a huge amount of interest from investors and the first spade in the ground, which is always a symbolic moment for any development, will no doubt further boost that momentum and confidence.
“I’m delighted to see that Morgan Sindall has won the contract via the North West Construction Hub because it is vital we ensure projects like the Knowledge Quarter creates and supports jobs from the construction phase, right through to the end use of the facilities.’’
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, added: “Working with the city council and Knowledge Quarter partners we’re creating an urban village at Paddington, a place where people can live, work and socialise and a place where innovation and creativity are encouraged.
“We welcome the appointment of Morgan Sindall, whose social values are in keeping with our desire to build a community and integrate the village with the local residents.”