Member Article

New multi-million pound Liverpool headquarters for Atlantic Container Lines

Work has begun on the first purpose-built shipping company headquarters in Liverpool for almost a century.

The new home for Liverpool shipping giant Atlantic Container Lines (ACL), a Grimaldi Group Company, will be on Duke Street in the city.

The development is being brought forward by property company and regeneration specialist Langtree, which has appointed Wates Construction as contractor.

The project has been supported with £2.82 million ERDF grant and £1.38 million Chrysalis funding.

ACL’s 160 staff are currently based at Princes Dock but will move into the new Grade A 62,000 sq ft HQ at 86-90 Duke Street in 2016 following significant staff growth in recent years.

The four-storey building, has been designed by DLA Architects and will complement the existing street scene.

ACL’s UK managing director, Ian Higby, said: “We have been growing for some years and the time is right to develop our own HQ in the city.

“We have created around 50 new jobs this year alone and this new building will give us the space to grow further.

“We are centralising a lot of activity in Liverpool.

“We have brought work here from North America and Europe, and there is no doubt Liverpool is a great city for maritime.

“Langtree has been enormously helpful in facilitating our move, and we’re also very grateful for the support we’ve received from the City, the LEP and from the Regional Growth Fund.

“The building will provide superb accommodation for the business and sends a clear message regarding our commitment to our staff and to Liverpool.

“We will also be seeking occupiers for the balance of the space and are confident that there will be strong interest to take this up.”

Langtree’s Development Director, Stephen Barnes, said: “This development is the culmination of many years spent working with partners to secure the regeneration of a site which has been blighted for decades.

“It is yet another successful project in Liverpool, where we have successfully invested millions of pounds in recent years to aid the city’s regeneration.

“As the economy continues to improve, we hope to invest much more.

“ACL is a hugely important international business and local employer and the scheme represents an important phase in the ongoing transformation of the Ropewalks area.

“It will have a hugely positive physical and economic impact on the neighbourhood.

“We have worked closely with the City Council, the Mayor, the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, DCLG and the Homes & Communities Agency who have all been instrumental in ensuring that this scheme can come forward.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .