|
In 2009, Heritage Works was commissioned by Liverpool City Council
to undertake a Feasibility Study to explore the potential for
reuse of the former Everton Library, a grade 2 listed building
at risk. The Study considered a range of options for the site,
with the aim of turning a redundant building into an asset for
the community. Following on from this Phase 1 study, the Trust
was commissioned by Liverpool City Council to undertake a Phase
2 further piece of project development work, focussing on specific
types of re-use. Phase 3 will now make a market assessment of
the business case for "The Jewel on the Hill". Liverpool
City Council is investigating the possibility of refurbishing
the building to house a mix of the following uses:
- Creative enterprise workspace
- Built heritage and conservation skills learning centre
- Community cultural hub
- Local heritage resource
- Enterprise education partnership
- Café/exhibition/meeting/performance space
As part of Phase 3, we have prepared and mailed out two questionnaires,
focusing on different end uses.
Community Cultural/Heritage Activity Questionnaire
This questionnaire is about the need for community arts/cultural
activity (visual art, drama and performance, creative writing,
photography, crafts etc.), and for a local heritage centre,
both of which could be based at Everton Library. You can fill
the
survey in online. Or download the survey as a Word
Document and email to admin@heritageworks.co.uk
Built Heritage Skills Questionnaire- Contractors and Consultants
This survey aims to consult contractors and consultants in
the construction industry who are, or have been, undertaking
projects involving the repair and restoration of pre-1919 buildings
in Merseyside, or who are based in the Merseyside sub-region.
The purpose of this consultation exercise is to determine the
extent of demand in the industry for such a facility in Merseyside,
and to receive any views about the proposed project. I would
be most grateful if you could take the time to fill in the online
questionnaire by Monday 6 September, using the following link:
You can fill the survey
in online. Or download the survey as a Word
Document and email to admin@heritageworks.co.uk
If you have any problems with the questionnaire or would like
to talk to someone about the surveys or the Everton Library
project, please contact Roger Jackson on 07816 900 926 or Marc
Collett on 07830 245 292.
Please respond by Monday 6 September.
Keppie
Massie are undertaking valuation work on this project.
Phase 1 Feasibility Study
The initial study considered a range of options for the site,
including commercial, residential and a combination of various
facilities. In the process we developed a full understanding of
Everton Library - its history, architecture, condition and place
in the community - by means of site inspections, desktop research
and stakeholder consultation. The team then developed options
for the end uses for the Library, taking into account the market
in the area and the potential for new build development on the
adjacent sites to provide cross-subsidy for repair and conversion.
The study took into account the context of the regeneration strategy
for Everton and North Liverpool, and considered the impact of
each option on the historic fabric. The study provided a condition
survey of the building and sketch schemes for various end use
options. It indicated costs for its proper conservation repair
and subsequent conversion. Two favoured options emerged: (a) 'foyer'
accommodation for young people and (b) a business centre.
Executive
Summary, Everton Library Feasibility Study, May 2009 [PDF
2.7Mb]
Phase 2 Options Appraisal Study
Everton Library was originally built to provide a lending library,
reading rooms and a technical school. We were asked to explore
a project use around the theme of creative enterprise/cultural
community hub/heritage skills training, and educational uses to
develop further the business centre ideas explored in the phase
1 study. Everton Ward has the highest percentage of worklessness
of any Liverpool ward and so the potential for this project to
achieve an economic impact in such a context is particularly important.
The report for Phase 2 was completed in April 2010.
The study suggested the title "The Jewel on the Hill"
to help provide a new 'brand' for the Library, capitalizing on
its architectural qualities, geographical location, historical
resonances and community meaning. The vision for the restored
and converted library is "a dynamic local centre for creativity,
heritage and enterprise, linking tradition and modernity in a
new and exciting mix".
Executive
Summary, Everton Library Phase 2 Options Appraisal Study, April
2010 [PDF 79Kb]
Description
The property is located on the east side of St Domingo Road at
the junction with Beacon Lane about two-and-a-half miles north
east of Liverpool City Centre. The property lies in a predominantly
residential area and is a short distance from Everton Park. The
building lies within the Housing Market Renewal Initiative area.
The property comprises three parts: the former Everton Library
a two-storey, Grade 2 listed building, and two brownfield sites,
one directly abutting the Library to the north and the second
site on the opposite side of Beacon Lane.
The Library was built in 1896 by Thomas Shelmerdine, and is constructed
of brick and stone with a tiled roof on a triangular shaped site.
The two-storey building has a substantial basement and a roof
terrace. Architectural features include an octagonal corner turret
at the corner of St Domingo Road/Beacon Lane and many decorative
stone carved panels. Inside, the ground floor was originally laid
out open-plan with a huge glass vaulted ceiling over the main
reading room. In recent years, a number of partitions have been
erected in the northern and southern parts of the building to
create small offices.
Contributing to the complexity of the building is the fact that
the first floor is split into two parts, accessed separately.
The southern part comprises a large room and two smaller rooms
and is accessed from the staircase in the octagonal turret. The
northern part can be accessed from a spiral staircase from the
main library and a second staircase on the northern side of the
building. This part is split into six rooms and provides access
to a gallery above the northern section of the library.
The northern staircase extends above the second floor to provide
access to the roof, where spectacular views of the Mersey Estuary
and towards Blackpool and the Pennines can be enjoyed.
The two adjacent sites were formerly used for municipal housing,
demolished in recent years.
back to top
|
