Liverpool''s dome to be become ''modern office space'' - commercial mortgages

09 July 2008

Firms in Liverpool are queuing to secure commercial mortgages for office space in one of the city''s most iconic buildings, it has been suggested.

Port of Liverpool building - which includes an enormous glass dome at its centre - has so far attracted lettings for 20,000 sq feet, reports the Liverpool Daily Post, making it the best rental performer in the city.

Refurbishment work on the site has been taking place for two years under development company Downing, but bosses there are happy the painstaking process will reap financial dividends on completion.

Sally O''Brien, joint chief executive of Downing, tells the newspaper: "We consider our role to be one of a custodian of the building, hence the £10 million investment in these refurbishment works."

She adds the company''s aim was to keep "the grandeur of the building" while simultaneously outfitting it for modern commercial use.

In related news, a newly-finished commercial development in Crewe is enjoying similar market success. The Sentinel reports Preston-based Maple Grove Developments has already secured one agreement with a business after redeveloping Crewe Hall Farm into office space.