Friday 29 November 2013

Plans to Alter India Buildings Resubmitted After Upgrade to Grade II*

India Buildings was recently upgraded from Grade II to Grade II* after an application by the c20 Society
c20 Society are the foremost experts on 20th Century architecture.
The announcement came the same time as a application was in with the city council and has now been amended. The City Council planners and in particular Elizabeth Blake who is dealing with the planning application says that they do not have to send letters out to the public. All they have to do is put some raggedy piece of paper on a lamp post to notify the public.
This is a disgraceful set of affairs when planning officers deem themselves above the rights of the people they are employed by.


You probably are not aware of the application so we wish to advise the public of things that may aaffect one of their historic buildings.

 Follow the following links below.


INDIA BUILDING PLANNING APPLICATION;


ALTERATIONS TO HOLTS ARCADE
Application no 13L/2472

Go to City Council planning explorer through the Liverpool City Council website

http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/ApplicationSearch.aspx
You will need to type in the number 13L/2472, which relates to India Buildings.
Press search
Hover the mouse over the application number and click
The application should come up
Click on Add Comments if you choose to, an on line form will be available
Scroll down to related documents or open all the files separately

Friday 22 November 2013

Statement from Wayne Colquhoun

Lets put the record straight. I no longer administer the LPT blog and have not done for some time.

I handed the reins over to David Ward some time ago.

Occasionally I may still contribute but when I do I will put my name to it.

I have never been scared to tell the truth but there are personal things that I have to deal with at present.

So I leave it in the capable hands of David.

Many journalists won awards from the ideas that we had worked up.

But it was all in the cause.

We hope our fights may have helped to save many things for future generations.



Thursday 21 November 2013

Archetype Studio Liverpool-Are They Just Your Archetypical Bullshiters or Just a Property Developers Moll?

Oh no, its that man again.......Jon Egan.
The ginger nut is back, bullshiting his way through the press again this time Alan Weston.

What happened to all his other media companies. October Communications. Aurora Media PR etc………must check at company’s house.

It seems he does not have a lot to say about the finances of his own companies.

Now along with fellow PR agent Liam Fogarty (who helped get Joe Anderson elected, was he paid to start the debate for a Mayor by central government) he is organising a jolly at the Baltic Triangle.
https://bdaily.co.uk/creative/11-11-2013/liverpool-x-to-attract-international-creatives/  with the likes of Will Alsop who came up with the pathetic Fourth Grace idea that led to the Three Black Coffins on Mann Island.

Stephen Bayley is also there he said the black coffins would be good for Liverpool in the Guardian in 2008.

Free lunch specialist Egan likes to entertain the local press but I don’t think he dines with Bill Le Breton any more, just what did happen there between them two.
http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/06/liverpool-daily-post-what-price-free.html

Egan was October Communications..Was Aurora Media.....Now he is Archetype http://www.archetypestudio.co.uk

And they have a philosophy http://www.archetypestudio.co.uk/Philosophy

The world is changing rapidly. There are no fixed points, nor ready made strategies and solutions. Communication is more important than ever, but traditional creative disciplines are often too fractured and specialised to respond to a world of complex connections. Increasingly, successful organisations, businesses and brands are those with an essential and distinctive story; those that are able to build and sustain relationships with customers and stakeholders that are more than merely transactional, but have a deeper core and durability.
Archetype is a company configured to the new communication landscape. 
Our approach is:
To go deeper! - Provide more thoughtful and intelligent analysis to clients to guide their approach to communication and business development.
To go further! - Pursue creativity and innovation to the end point, and recognise that every new challenge requires an original solution.
To look wider! - Understand the broader context in which our clients operate, identify critical relationships and help them navigate rapidly changing landscapes.
To underpin this mission, Archetype will always be:
Professional and passionate - we promise total dedication and loyalty based on relationships of mutual respect and integrity.
Nimble and inventive - we’ll be alert and responsive to change, open to new methods and consistently looking for more effective and original solutions.
Ethical and progressive - we’ll conduct all relationships with stakeholders and clients ethically and with a commitment to delivering the best environmental and social outcomes. We believe our reputation and that of our clients is ultimately founded on how we behave not just how we communicate.

If you believe this bullshit you will believe anything.

http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/liverpools-world-heritage-site-pearls.html

Its all pearls before swine though

Now Egan is organising a load of unrelevent twaddle in the Baltic Triangle possibly on behalf of some shady property developer as he always seems to do.

http://www.downtownliverpool.com/business/aurora/

Did they PR for Downtown Liverpool or where him and Frank McKenna just mates?

Is he PR for Cains? Is he the PR to railroad all those poor people who lost their jobs at the brewery?

Don’t believe a word of what this company says.

They archetypicaly go on.


Less Noise, More Meaning
http://www.archetypestudio.co.uk/lessnoisemoremeaning
We are a creative company that doesn’t define what we do by the tools and media that we use and we don’t measure success by the amount of noise we make. We create and communicate things that are original, relevant and meaningful. We use intelligence and creativity to help clients discover and express their essential values and build the relationships needed to flourish and prosper. There is already too much noise in the world. We want to make meaning.


Egan has been employed by the city council, Liverpool Vision, Neptune Developments and the corrupted Merseytravel.
 He was employed by David Wade-Smith to PR the black coffins on Mann Island that now houses Miserytravels headquarters. and now he rounds up all the usual suspects to bullshit their way through another load of toss and make it sound relevant.
 But we don’t believe you.

All PR together who is funding this meeting?

 We don't believe Egan. We also don’t believe Sevenstreets anymore
http://www.sevenstreets.com/liverpool-visions-where-should-we-be-heading-in-the-future/

And why is Plus Dane sponsoring another event.



Written by David Ward

Thursday 14 November 2013

A Star For India Buildings-English Heritage Upgrade to Grade II*

India Building Upgraded to Grade II* by English Heritage.

This is a momentous decision.
It has been recognised that the historic India Building with its majestic travertine marble Holts Arcade should be upgraded.

An application was made after the owners of the building Green Property Group removed historic fitments from the façade without planning permission and were cautioned by Liverpool City Council who sent enforcement officers to the property who also ordered the bronze plaques to be re-instated.

A campaign was organised by some of the shopkeepers after they were told that the shops that they had tenanted for decades were to be converted into offices and the public right of way was to be stopped up.

Holts Arcade is on the site of an ancient right of way and was built as an arcade because there were originally two buildings on the site and by creating the right of way solved the issue arising from unlawfully stopping people who had used this street.

Plans were recently announced and submitted to the planning authority.

The local authority accepted the plans for the building even though a listing application was pending.

The announcement means that English Heritage has to be consulted on all planning applications.

It is wildly anticipated that the plans that include putting TV screens and monitors in Holts arcade and reducing access by fitting a revolving door at the Water Street entrance will be treated with the contempt they deserve by EH.

The plans show some of the shops converted to offices which would be a tragic use of a shopping arcade that was designed by Herbert Rowse one of Liverpool’s most famous architects, who also built Martins Bank and The Art Deco inspired Georges Dock Ventilating Shaft along with the Philharmonic Hall in Hope Street.

The original India Buildings built to commemorate the breaking up of the East India Company was the headquarters of Holts Line.

This is a historic day for Liverpool as recognition of its Mercantile and Maritime past.

The building is in the WHS.

This is a glowing confirmation of one of Liverpool’s greatest Architectural monuments.




India Buildings and in particular one of the shops Wayne Colquhoun Antiques and Fine Art will be featured on BBC Friday 15th November 2013 when Edwina Curry makes a visit for charity.

See whether you think the shopping arcade is not important to Liverpool’s sense of place and its encroaching homogenisation.

It is a pleasure to thank Clare Price of the c20 society who are the nations experts on 20th Century architecture. Her work in submitting this listing upgrade application was carried out in a most professional manner and was backed up by the society.

Thank You Clare.

http://www.c20society.org.uk/news/india-buildings-liverpool-upgraded-to-grade-ii/


The Liverpool Post and Echo also have to be thanked because they covered the news in a sympathetic manner and in particular the work of Peter Elson, which went above and beyond his call of duty.

His reporting meant that the campaign went to people who were determined to lend their weight and support to the SOS (Save Our Shops) campaign.

The campaign to save India Buildings made Private Eye and Green Property were criticised.

The Merseyside Civic Society submitted comments to the listing application.

And of course those who turned up to reminstrate and demonstrate against the owners plans to close off the arcade.

1000 signatures were made on a petition to Save Our Shops.



It was bad enough damaging a Grade II listed building but the merits of it being Grade II* were the same then as they are now, all that has changed in the quality is that the building has been recognised as being worthy of the top tier of historic structure in the country. Only a very small number of properties can boast to be on this table.

Radio Merseyside sent reporters out and it was featured on Mersey TV.

The assessment for English Heritage stated.
Like the buildings of the northeast US cities, India Buildings' imposing architectural effect and beauty is achieved by its impressiveness of mass, and its clean surfaces and proportions, rather than ornamentation.

The building's external elevational treatment rejects the over-ornamentation and fussiness of many buildings of this date, and instead adopts a more restrained approach with decoration concentrated in selective elements judiciously placed at the top and bottom of the building. The result is a building that is enhanced, rather than taken over, by decorative enrichment, and which reinterprets classical styling in a modern way. In achieving this, India Buildings again reflects its transatlantic influence, and in particular, the buildings of New York City. As Reilly proclaimed about the winning design in 1923: 'with the Holt Building the American orientation of Liverpool architectural thought reaches its climax. The building Messrs. Thornely and Rowse have designed would not disgrace Fifth Avenue; indeed it would sit there very happily, and those who know most of modern architecture will know this is very high praise' (cited in The Builder, 12 Oct 1923). In keeping with the exterior, the building's interior is also of a superior quality and displays an acute attention to detail with high-quality finishes and materials found throughout, including an extensive use of Travertine marble and terrazzo. Several areas are of particular note, including: the elevator halls with their Travertine-lined walls and coffered saucer-domed ceilings; the central arcade with its coffered barrel-vaulted ceiling and decorative bronze shopfronts; and the opulent Lloyds Bank interior, which is a tour de force of marble and decorative metalwork, as well as incorporating abundant figurative and symbolic imagery and an impressive coffered ceiling with coffers that mirror the octagonal shapes of the building's corner lobbies. Like most commercial buildings India Buildings has been subject to interior alteration over the years, including repairs and restoration following wartime damage, which were overseen by Rowse himself and in most cases are virtually indistinguishable from the originals. Some of the upper floors have since been modernised and late-C20 mezzanines have been inserted in the banking hall and ground-floor office space. However, whilst these latter alterations have not added to the building's interest, neither have they significantly compromised it; where applicable, areas of the building that are not of special interest, or are of lesser interest, will be
 identified in the List description.

Herbert J Rowse is one of the most influential regional architects of the inter-war period and his impressive body of work encompasses a wide range of building types, many of which are listed. Rowse's great skill as an architect is demonstrated by the fact that he already has two buildings listed at Grade II*: the former Martins Bank (1927-32), which lies diagonally opposite India Buildings, and the Philharmonic Hall (1937-9). Like these other examples, India Buildings possesses a high level of architectural quality that is of more than special interest within a national context. It also has additional significance in being the building that launched Rowse's acclaimed career. Like Rowse, Sir Arnold Thornely is also a significant figure within Liverpool architecture who has several highly graded listed buildings to his name or associated with him, including the Grade II* Port of Liverpool Building (1907) and Bluecoat School (1903-6), and the Grade B listed Parliament English Heritage Advice Report 04 November 2013 Page 3 of 15 Buildings in Stormont, Northern Ireland (designed 1925 and constructed 1928-31). India Buildings represents one of his most significant works.


They go on

CONCLUSION

After examining all the records and other relevant information and having carefully considered the architectural and historic interest of this case, the criteria for upgrading are fulfilled. India Buildings is therefore recommended for upgrading from Grade II to Grade II*.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION DECISION

India Buildings, constructed in 1924-32 to the designs of Herbert J Rowse and Arnold Thornely, isrecommended for upgrading to Grade II* for the following principal reasons:

* Transatlantic influence: Liverpool's deep historic links with the eastern seaboard of the United States, and the influence of Charles Reilly's Liverpool School of Architecture and its promotion of an American form of classicism in the early-C20, as well as Herbert Rowse's personal experience of working in New York and Chicago, are clearly reflected in the building's architecture and design. Through its monumental scale, planning, architectural treatment and mixed use, India Buildings emulates the most impressive early-C20 commercial buildings of the US, and in particular, the buildings of New York City; echoing the designs of firms such as McKim, Mead & White;

* Architectural interest: its imposing architectural effect and beauty is achieved by its impressiveness of mass, and its clean surfaces and proportions, rather than ornamentation. Decoration is judiciously placed toenhance, rather than detract from, the building itself, and its Italian Renaissance and American Beaux-Arts influenced design reinterprets classical styling in a modern way;

* Architects: it was designed by Herbert Rowse and (Sir) Arnold Thornely, both of whom have other highly graded listed buildings to their name. Rowse, in particular, was one of the most influential regional architects of the inter-war period and India Buildings represents one of his most significant works;

* Planning interest: it is an excellent example of a British building following the US-style grid system of town planning; the building occupies an entire city block and incorporates a central shop-lined arcade connecting Water Street with Brunswick Street, as well as an entrance to the James Street underground station;

* Interior quality: the interior is of a superior quality and incorporates high-quality finishes and materials throughout, including an extensive use of Travertine marble and terrazzo. Several areas are of particular note, including: the elevator halls with their Travertine-lined walls and coffered saucer-domed ceilings; the central arcade with its coffered barrel-vaulted ceiling and decorative bronze shopfronts; and the opulent Lloyds Bank interior, which is a tour de force of marble and decorative metalwork, as well as incorporating abundant figurative and symbolic imagery and an impressive coffered ceiling with coffers that mirror the octagonal shapes of the building's corner lobbies;

· Degree of survival: the building is virtually unaltered externally and retains its major interior elements;

* Group value: it has strong group value with the Grade II* former Martins Bank (1927-32) situated diagonally opposite on Water Street, which was also designed by Rowse and also derives its architectural influence from the north-eastern United States. Additional group value also exists with other nearby listed buildings on Water Street and Pier Head, most of which are highly graded; together they form a group of hugely significant commercial buildings at the heart of Liverpool's central business district.



Countersigning comments:

Agreed: India Buildings is one of the great achievements of Rowse and the Liverpool School. It fully merits designation in a higher grade.



………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Tuesday 12 November 2013

The Cenotaph-St Georges Plateau Liverpool-Upgraded To Grade I by English Heritage.

We received this letter from EH yesterday and apologise wholeheartedly for not publishing it yesterday on 11th November as a fitting tribute not only to the fine architecture that grace's the magnificent St Georges Plateau, but also to all those brave men and woman, who gave their lives so we can be free.
So we can say our piece, to question and challenge the authority of people who wish to contain the vested interests of the minority. The upgrading of the list is a most respectful reminder to the debt that we all owe to previous generations.



Are you reading this Alastair Machray down in Oldham Hall Street you ignorant little man. http://liverpoolpreservationtrust.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/the-liverpool-echo-sinks-to-all-time.html

Friday 1 November 2013

India Buildings-Holts Arcade. Is The Public Access To Be Restricted?

Almost a year to the day there was outrage when Green Property were cautioned for illegally damaging the façade of India Buildings.


It was splashed all over the local press.

The shopkeepers were also told that their shops were, in fact, wanted by the landlords for offices. India buildings has over two thirds of empty office space.

A thousand name petition for the SOS, Save Our Shops campaign was signed.

India Building has been a shopping arcade since the early 1930’s. It was constructed as an arcade.

A demonstration was carried out in the arcade led by the shopkeepers, who were told that Green property wanted to close off the Brunswick Street entrance.

This would bar the public from the arcade and cutting through a thoroughfare that was in fact built into the building because it was originally built over a street.

It was deemed that because of the building spanning an ancient right of way that it should remain open to the public.
Now plans have gone into the Liverpool planners to alter Holts Arcade.

They have some alarming elements of bad taste but also some infactul elements that need correcting.

It seems that access will be restricted and the public will be funnelled into a revolving door at the Water Street entrance.

Wasn’t that why the original revolving doors were removed for safety evacuation.

This will restrict access for the public.

It could also create a safety risk as if the building was full how would they all get out in the event of a fire.

The current area where the sliding doors operate work well. This area will be made into a seating area with flashing TV screens, bling, bling.

India Buildings is a magnificent edifice so why change it.

If it’s not broken…

There are plans to add some screens and block off part of the arcade.

Why would you want to do this?

The owners say there is no use for the existing empty shops. This is because they do not do anything to let them.

A year ago we are aware that prospective tenants were contacting the agents and were being told there is none available.

Have a look at the plans here.

http://northgate.liverpool.gov.uk/PlanningExplorer17/ApplicationSearch.aspx

You will need to type in the number 13L/2472, which relates to India Buildings.
You will see that there are existing floor plans and new floor plans.

It is clear from these plans that there are several infactual documents and the application from the developer cares to advise the planners instead of allowing them to decide.

If you scroll down related documents and click on design and access statement.

The plans are showing some of the shops as offices…disguised as a lounge.

They have added to the planning application that there is no use for the shops.

This is because they have never wanted to us them……..in fact they wanted them as offices.

We have had sight of written correspondence from Green group to the tenants, to this effect..

THERE HAVE BEEN NO LETTERS SENT OUT TO TENANTS IN THE BUILDING THERE ARE NO NOTICES ON THE ARCADE…….WHY IS THIS?

IS IT A SECRET APPLICATION?

None of the shopkeepers have been consulted by Green.

What the application does not show is that a further application was made by the C20 Society to upgrade the listing from Grade II to Grade II* They were so alarmed at what was being proposed by Green Property, and they thought extra protection was required. It was supported by Chris Griffiths, the Buildings at Risk officer at Liverpool City Council.

Graham Ives of EH said they would be very surprised if it was not upgraded.

This is, currently being considered by English Heritage.

In fact an announcement should be imminent.

This application was made to try to stop a landlord who obviously did not understand the local and international importance of India Buildings and wanted to close it off to the public and convert the shops to offices.

They now say they will leave the existing shops…..how very kind of them.
We have to be very careful as to how these new proposals affect the character and the style of A BUILDING DESIGNED BY HERBERT ROWSE.

The current listing says that Holts Arcade is also listed as a Grade II interior.

The application to upgrade it would take Holts Arcade to Grade II*.

Why has this application being considered before the listing is upgraded?