A Shepherd Construction joint venture has reached financial close on the £50m PFI contract for the renovation of Liverpool Central Library.
The Inspire Partnership also includes Amber Infrastructure, with architects Austin-Smith:Lord, and Cofely as providers of facilities management services.
Construction work will begin this autumn and will see the full restoration of the Grade II listed parts of the building, which date back to 1860.
Sections constructed in the 1950s and 1970s, which now suffer from damp and a leaking roof, will be rebuilt to include a new home for Liverpool Record Office.
Other new elements include:
- New repository with capacity for 20 years of additional storage space for books and archives
- New entrance to main library, including a ‘literary pavement’ and front and rear access
- Five new floors with better access including escalators, lifts, toilets, meeting rooms and café
- New conservation studio for repairs to the city’s masterpieces
- New rooftop atrium and terrace overlooking St.John’s Gardens
- Re-opening of historic internal entrances to the Picton Reading Room
After the building’s closure on Friday, July 23 it will take approximately three months to empty completely before construction work commences.
The new Central Library is scheduled to reopen at the end of 2012.
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