MIPIM UK NEWS: Plans for the 450-acre Knowledge Quarter in Liverpool, which encompasses Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital, will be officially launched at MIPIM UK today.
The £2bn, five-year project aims to turn the city into a world-class destination for science, innovation, education, technology and the creative and performing arts.
Among the schemes planned within the KQ are Paddington Village, a 1.8m sq ft health, education science and residential development space on the site of the former Archbishop Blanch school, and the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool railway station, which will connect to the city’s underground network.
A new 45,000 sq ft education and learning facility, with 260 beds at Paddington Village was also announced this week by joint venture partners Kaplan International and the University of Liverpool. It will join the Royal College of Physicians’ new Northern Centre of Excellence as the an anchor tenant at the 30-acre site.
Plans are also under way to launch a new KQ Liverpool investment fund to support life sciences and technology spin-outs and start-ups at the Knowledge Quarter.
Professor Janet Beer, KQ Liverpool chair, said: “For the north of England to keep pace, and eventually close the economic gap with London and the South East, we need to attract and retain the very best students, graduates, scientists, clinicians, academics and business innovators.
“This plan sets out our partnership vision for KQ Liverpool and how we intend to establish one of the world’s leading innovation districts. A place of collaboration and discovery in science, technology, education, medicine and culture and a place where great discoveries are made.”
The Knowledge Quarter is one of five Mayoral Development Zones in Liverpool, established as part of its City Deal regional devolution agreement with central government.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, said: “With £1bn of investment already under way and a potential further £1bn at Paddington Village alone, these are really exciting times for Liverpool and the wider city region’s knowledge economy. Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter is unique in the UK providing an unrivalled concentration of expertise in science, technology, health, education, music and the arts – all within a city centre location.”
Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool, added: “We have a simple plan, which is to build on the existing academic, medical, scientific and cultural brilliance that already exists, to create a world-class innovation district at the heart of a great city region.”
• To send feedback, e-mail Samantha.McClary@estatesgazette.com or tweet @Samanthamcclary or @estatesgazette
