West Tower

The 40 storey West Tower was the final phase of Beetham Organization’s successful redevelopment of the derelict former Liverpool Eye Hospital site. Comprising 5 floors of offices with 35 floors of apartments above with 15 space car stacker at basement level making West Tower Liverpool’s tallest building.

The Brief

The brief was to create an image and inspirational building that was worthy of Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture status whilst not detracting from the nearby World Heritage site and Pier Head historic quarter.

The Design Approach

Site constraints have been maximised to create an elegant tower with a slender footprint. Views of the River Mersey and city are maximised whilst minimising impact of daylight and views upon adjacent buildings.

The apartment floors are clad in a full height clear and opaque unitised curtain wall in random pattern to provide floor to ceiling panoramic views with a sky Bar/ Restaurant on the 34th floor making it Britain’s highest restaurant with stunning views over the city.

West Tower is crowned by 5 floors of penthouses with external terraces with a stepped clear glazed screening to the raking structure and back-lit to provide a crown- like glow at night. All facades have being equally designed and detailed to appear elegant from all vantage points.

The Construction

A major influence on the design of the building from construction through to detailing for long term weathering has been the fact that the building faces the Mersey Estuary and the prevailing north westerly winds. Frame analysis has optimised floor thickness, column size and the position of openings through the structural walls. The choice of concrete construction provides the stiffness required for the prefabricated unitised curtain walling. All elevations are glazed in high performance solar control glass with insulated panels set behind in solid areas.