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the littlewoods project

film campus + office emerge from neglected city icon

The Littlewoods Project is a masterplan in Liverpool delivered in a phased process. shedkm designed the Bunker offices, as well as the plans for a brand new TV and film campus.

The initial stage in 2015 saw the redevelopment of the former Littlewoods storage building, known as Bunker, into offices. In 2023 shedkm designed proposals for two 20,000ft2 studios for large scale productions, as well as spaces for workshops, studio support facilities and an education facility.

The regeneration of the original building includes the restoration and repurposing of the 1930s Edge Lane building, with a working clock reinstated on the iconic tower.

Client:

Capital&Centric

Location:

Liverpool

Size:

  • 1,670m2 (Bunker)

Contract value:

£2.2 million (Bunker)

Status:

Complete (Bunker)
Planning application submitted (second phase of The Littlewoods Project)

Awards:

Won: 2016 AJ Retrofit, RIBA, BCO Awards (Bunker)

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facilities for all

New plans also feature spaces for offices, workshops, studio support facilities and an education facility. Tenants and visitors will also be able to take in spectacular views across the city from a new roof garden.

There are also plans to make the building more accessible to surrounding communities. A multi-purpose screening and performance zone will feature five small format cinema screens, an outdoor performance space and permanent food-hall. It will be for the use of occupiers on site, and then open up to the public out of hours.

The site will feature a lush, green courtyard open to the community, as well as extensive greenery and landscaping that will pay homage to local screen stars past and present.

the tower under construction in 1938 © the football museum
the finished clock tower circa 1940 © the football museum
workers on the pools floor in 1949 © the football museum

restoration and regeneration

The site, which has been derelict for decades, will transform and become greener and more welcoming for locals. The former canteen, which was housed in a barrel-vaulted hangar, will become the screening and performance zone for the surrounding community. The regeneration also includes the restoration and repurposing of the 1930s Edge Lane building, with a working clock reinstated on the iconic tower.

‘hollywood of the north’

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has committed £17m to develop The Depot – two 22,000ft2 film and TV studios now open off Liverpool’s Edge Lane – and larger studios in the adjacent Littlewoods building as part of Mayor Steve Rotheram’s vision to turn the city region into the ‘Hollywood of the North’.

It’s anticipated that the Littlewoods development will create around 4,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the region’s creative sector.

The submission follows an extensive consultation, with the feedback overwhelmingly positive with people keen to see a new chapter for the historic building secured.

existing site context

the masterplan

Retained existing elements will maintain the identity of the Littlewoods building and are woven into the development, with a shared centre informed by the tower as a renewed focal point.

New building forms will respect their setting and follow the architectural principles of scale, height and massing to create a harmonious whole.

(Please note that the planning application does not seek permission for the new path and pedestrian link shown in some of the CGIs to the Wavertree Botanic Park. Liverpool City Council and the Applicant do, however, have a shared vision to improve access and connectivity between The Littlewoods Project and the Wavertree Botanic Park and will work together to secure the relevant consents to enable its delivery and future maintenance as part of the wider works to the Gardens.)

bunker office

The former storage building known as Bunker was remodelled by shedkm in 2015 to provide flexible office space. It was part of the first phase of the six-acre regeneration of The Littlewoods Project in Liverpool.

The character of the building was retained by pulling in the new building line to accentuate the existing concrete frame. The external finish of dark grey painted concrete frame and grey cement particle boards is contrasted by shedkm yellow vent panels within the window frame components.

Internally, a Reglit rooflight allows natural light into the centre of the building while Reglit walls line the atrium feeding light into the office units. This diffused light is ideal for use in offices as the semi-opacity it creates provides some privacy.

in a difficult market, bunker has been an important first phase of the wider littlewoods masterplan and it is envisaged that its success will stimulate wider investment in the area

10+

years disused

innovation
regeneration
transformation

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