West Tower
{{Short description|Skyscraper in Liverpool, England}}
{{about|Beetham Tower in Liverpool|for the building in Guangzhou, China|Guangzhou West Tower|other buildings known as Beetham Tower|Beetham Tower (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2015}}
{{Infobox building
|name = West Tower
|image = 240px
|caption =
|start_date = 2005
|completion_date = 2007
|building_type = Mixed
|location = Liverpool, England, United Kingdom
|coordinates = {{coord|53.40987|-2.99668|region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|roof = {{convert|140|m|ft|0}}
|floor_area =
|cost = £35,000,000
|elevator_count = 2
|unit_count = 127 {{cite web|title=West Tower|url=http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/building/west-tower/4322|website=Skyscraper Center|publisher=CTBUH|access-date=23 October 2017}}
|architect = Aedas
|developer = Beetham
|main_contractor = Carillion
|references = {{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/217175 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306205417/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/217175 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=6 March 2016 |title=Emporis building ID 217175 |work=Emporis}}{{skyscraperpage|33722}}
}}
West Tower is a 40-storey tall skyscraper in Liverpool, England. It is the tallest building in Liverpool. The building was the second tower to be built by Carillion[http://www.carillionplc.com/building/news/NRWestTowerGroundbreaking.htm#TopOfPage Carillion Building news] in Liverpool for property developers Beetham, who now use the building as their headquarters.[http://www.skyscrapernews.com/buildings.php?id=165 scyscrapernews.com building information]
Description
With an architectural height of {{convert|140|m|ft|0}} and 40 floors, West Tower is the tallest building in Liverpool. Nationwide, it is ranked at 62nd tallest in the United Kingdom but is the tallest in the country outside of Greater London, Greater Manchester and Birmingham. The building commands views across the city, over the Mersey to the Wirral and as far as Blackpool on a clear day. The first five floors are the new headquarters for the Beetham Organization and the remaining floors, apart from the 34th, have been divided into luxury apartments and penthouses.
However, unlike St. John's Beacon, West Tower has no antennae on the roof. Therefore, when considering height excluding antennas, West Tower is the highest building in Liverpool.
The five floors of Beetham's offices are set back between concrete columns and are fully glazed. A glazed lift and stair serving the office are accommodated between raking fins with views to the river.{{cn|date=April 2019}}
The 127 apartments are clad in a fully glazed perimeter curtain wall of random clear and opaque panels and are orientated to provide views of both the city and river. The upper penthouse floors are tiered back to incorporate external terraces behind glazed balustrade screens.
The 34th floor is home to Liverpool's highest restaurant, Panoramic. This floor is completely clad in a clear glass perimeter offering diners views of the city of Liverpool and further afield.{{cn|date=April 2019}}
Awards
At the 4th Liverpool Daily Post Regional Property Awards[http://www.ldpbusiness.co.uk/liverpool-news/liverpool-business-news/2008/04/12/property-awards-celebrate-liverpool-s-rising-profile-96026-20755496/2/ Regional Property Awards 2008] in association with RBS, Beetham West Tower won Aedas the best Mixed Use Development prize. This prize was awarded for best use of land which would normally have stood barren; creation of an "iconic" building; and best use of limited space.
Administration
In February 2011, the West Tower went into administration after the parent companies were hit by falling property prices.[http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/02/04/liverpool-s-west-tower-goes-into-administration-92534-28112749/ Liverpool's West Tower goes into administration] - Liverpool Daily Post, 4 Feb 2011 Out of the 123 apartments, 106 had been purchased as buy to let investments, while 17 were owner-occupied or unsold.[http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/02/03/liverpool-s-tallest-building-the-west-tower-placed-into-administration-92534-28109779/#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom Liverpool's tallest building the West Tower placed into administration] - Liverpool Daily Post, 3 Feb 2011
Gallery
File:Westtowerlpool.jpg|West Tower viewed from Seacombe
File:West Tower from ground level.jpg|West Tower viewed from ground level
File:West Tower, Liverpool - geograph.org.uk - 697834.jpg|West Tower viewed from ground level
File:West tower construction.jpg|West Tower under construction in May, 2007
File:West Tower Night.jpg|West Tower at night
File:Bar Lounge Area.jpg|The 34th floor restaurant 'Panoramic'
File:West Tower, Liverpool May 23 2010 005.jpg|West Tower along with the Post & Echo Building
File:Liverpool Commercial District.jpg|West Tower within the Commercial District
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.thebeethamorganization.com/ Beetham Organization homepage] (requires flash-player)
- [http://www.aedas.com/ Aedas Architects homepage]
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{{s-ttl|title=Tallest Building in Liverpool|years=2008 – present}}
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{{UKSkyscrapers|Completed}}
{{Liverpool B&S}}
Category:Skyscrapers in Liverpool
Category:Office buildings completed in 2007