A ceremonial ‘topping out’ event has taken place at Exhibition Centre Liverpool, a £66m development on the city’s Kings Dock which will become the first purpose-built inter-connected arena, convention and exhibition centre in Europe.
The event saw the signing and installation of a steel beam at the highest point on the building.
The beam, signed by ACC Liverpool Chairman David McDonnell, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson, and representatives from contractor ISG, hotel operator Branded Hotel Management and Pullman was lifted into place by a 70m tower crane.
Scheduled to open in September 2015, Exhibition Centre Liverpool will more than double the existing exhibition space at ACC Liverpool to 15,225 square metres. It will link to the Echo Arena and existing convention centre via a pedestrian link bridge, and will create the country’s most exciting destination for consumer and trade exhibitions, global conferences, concerts and international sporting events. In its first year of operation, it is expected to host about 50 events and attract more than 250,000 visitors.
Having benefitted from significant public sector support in the past, including approximately £74m from the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) and former English Partnerships, Kings Dock is now a successful destination boasting two hotels, restaurants and residential apartments alongside the Echo Arena and the convention centre. The new centre is being constructed on land sold by the HCA sold to Liverpool City Council in May 2013.
The HCA was also a member of the Kings Steering Group, which brought forward the proposals now being implemented. LCC and the HCA are now working together to ensure that the remaining 3.6Ha of HCA-owned land at Kings Dock achieves its potential.
Carl Moore, Liverpool City Region Head of Area at the Homes & Communities Agency, said: “I am delighted to see this fantastic development taking shape - the city’s waterfront is being transformed into a world-class destination which will bring a huge economic boost to the city for years to come, creating many jobs for local people.”
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said: “The new exhibition centre will help secure Liverpool’s place as one of the top visitor destinations in the UK. It’s a great example of how we are investing to earn to grow demand for the benefit of the residents of Liverpool and the businesses which depend on the visitor economy.”
