Royal Albert Dock unveils public realm plans

Royal Albert Dock submits plans to Liverpool City Council to make a number of improvements to its public realm. Tony McDonough reports

More greenery is integral to the Royal Albert Dock public realm plans

Royal Albert Dock plans to enhance its public realm with a focus on green areas, a new suite of furniture and improving accessibility.

Following a consultation with local and dock stakeholders, residents and Liverpool City Council the dock has submitted a planning application for the public realm upgrade which it hopes will “improve visitor experience”.

Royal Albert Dock originally opened in 1846 and shortly before its 175th anniversary was given the title ‘Royal’ by the Queen.

It is made up of four Grade I-listed buildings – Britannia Pavilion, The Colonnades, Atlantic Pavilion and Edward Pavilion. By the early 1980s it had collapsed into dereliction. It was brought back to life by the Merseyside Development Corporation.

In May 2023 the dock, which comprises 375,000 sq ft of space, changed ownership in a £40m deal. Its owners are now London developer and investor, General Projects, and Dubai investment management company, neo capital.

Working with Liverpool based design studio, Planit, the plans are Phase 1 of a series of phases to be rolled out, with the works planned to start in spring 2025, subject to planning approval.

Three initial areas of the dock will be developed as part of a multi-zonal strategy, with each zone responding to the characteristics of its surroundings, climatic conditions and blend with the existing buildings across the estate.

Areas will benefit from coastal and climate adaptive planting with up to 40 new species of plants that have been carefully chosen to grow and thrive in the sometimes harsh conditions of the waterfront.

Underutilised areas will be improved with new seating and furniture, and throughout the site the cobbles will be treated with a grinding machine to provide smoother routes and improved accessibility for wheelchair and pushchair users.

Royal Albert Dock has put forward plans for public realm enhancements
Royal Albert Dock intends to give its public realm a facelift
Royal Albert Dock says its wants to ‘enhance the visitor experience

At the north site entrance adjacent to Tate Liverpool, Mermaid Courtyard is designated as a nature-led extension to the art gallery, with plans to use planting and new furniture to soften the external terrace area which Tate Liverpool will open onto.

This landscaped area will offer a space that can be used for community based events and workshops. The walkway adjacent to the Maritime Museum, Hartley Quay, will be reconfigured to increase accessibility.

This will include new planting and picnic tables and benches which will have a chunky, timber aesthetic reflective of the former industry of the docks.

Lastly, the northern gateway – the first experience of Royal Albert Dock for visitors from the city centre – will be greener, softer and more welcoming through the introduction of places to sit and dwell.

This area will be enhanced with strategic wayfinding and storytelling, including new information boards and signage to share information with visitors about the heritage of the docks.

Helen Legg, chair of Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, said ‘Liverpool’s waterfront, and in particular the Royal Albert Dock, is the city’s greatest asset.

“As the largest collection of Grade I-listed buildings in the country, it’s essential that we invest in maintaining and developing the dock.”

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