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CBRE Submits Plans For A Majestic External Lighting Scheme At Iconic Royal Liver Building

Acting on behalf of real estate investment manager Corestate Capital Group, CBRE Liverpool’s National Building Consultancy team has submitted planning as part of the phased renovations to implement a new visitor and occupier experience featuring an elegant external lighting scheme with a series of lighting features to take place at Liverpool’s iconic Royal Liver Building. The works are part of the next phase of the building’s repositioning masterplan developed and project managed by CBRE.

Planning has been submitted to utilise the visually dominant clock tower to produce regular light shows which will become a new attraction to the city and encourage public engagement. The visual show-piece will require the installation of sequential colour-changing, dynamic lighting that acts a narrative, honouring the history of the towers as a time piece and look-out.

Visible from across the city; the clock faces, the Liver Birds and the towering domes will be brought to life through light. By mounting luminaires within the tower itself, the inner faces of the building fabric will create a stunning visual backdrop.

Benefits of the new external lighting include preservation of the prestigious and historical features of the building, the effective use of technology and the opportunity to enliven entrances and the building as a whole. Heritage significant luminaires will be retained and restored, while the lighting treatments will emphasise and define architectural features and form.


Simon Hepple, Director for the National Building Consultancy team in Liverpool, commented;

“We are delighted to submit planning for an exciting new external lighting scheme at the Royal Liver Building. The proposed lighting experience will be one of the first of its kind in the UK, showcasing Liverpool’s innovative spirit and setting a new trend. It is hoped that the new lighting experience will connect the Royal Liver Building back to Liverpudlians and bring more visitors to the city and will serve as a gathering point, bringing a revival to the waterfront and further promoting the Royal Liver Building and Pier Head as a desirable destination.”

Arup have been appointed as the lighting designers following a selection process across Europe managed by CBRE for suitable heritage lighting consultants.

Lauren Blow, senior Lighting Designer at Arup said:

“The scheme aims to rediscover the majesty and form of the Grade I Royal Liver Building during the hours of darkness with a timeless external lighting scheme. The clocks and Liver Birds which adorn the Royal Liver Building are fundamental to the Liverpool story and city heritage. Millions of people have looked to these towers for the time of day and, throughout history, with the hope of security for their loved ones at sea. These towers will be brought back to life with light to reinstate the original purpose of the clock towers in a 21st century ‘digital’ format.”