"This ... will make Liverpool one of the premier retail and leisure destinations not only in the UK but in Europe," says Liverpool City Council leader Warren Bradley.
One of Paradise Project's most distinctive buildings - the Bling Bling building on Hanover Street - was designed by architects CZWG and incorporates innovative use of curtain walling from Hydro.
The five-floor office and retail development structure sits between two classic Edwardian buildings on a prominent corner site. Part of the building is already being used as headquarters for celebrity hairdresser Herbert Howe, who has held a series of receptions at his new glass-and-marble salon and hairdressing academy.
Statement building
Hydro's Technal-brand grid and curved curtain walling was used for the Bling Bling building's envelope.
In addition, the Bling Bling architects, CZWG, specified a specially extruded cap for the vertical and horizontal sections as an effective contrast to the copper-clad "pods" over the entrance to the building and on each façade. The end caps and transoms were finished in anodized gold, and leave a striking effect.
"We wanted to create a statement building, and the Technal system allowed us to incorporate some innovative design detailing, such as the gold end caps," says CZWG project architect David Donachie.
Hydro is Europe's largest supplier of aluminium building systems, and delivers to scores of other countries around the globe. Its three brands - Domal, Technal and Wicona - cover the whole range of system products, focusing on windows, doors, curtain walls, shutters and conservatories.
Published: September 28, 2007